Dozens of Karnataka Students Hospitalized After Eating Worm-Infested School Meals

It's a parent's worst nightmare, and for over two dozen students at the Kittur Rani Channamma Residential School in Vijayapura, Karnataka, that nightmare became a stark reality just recently. On Thursday, December 14th, what should have been a regular meal turned into a frightening episode of stomach aches and vomiting, all thanks to rice allegedly contaminated with worms.

The sheer horror of finding worms in their food, let alone consuming it, must have been utterly traumatizing for these young students. Soon after their meal, many began complaining of severe discomfort. The symptoms quickly escalated, prompting immediate action from the school staff. Over 20 students were swiftly transported to the Government Community Health Center in Indi, where they received urgent medical attention. You can only imagine the worry and chaos that ensued.

As the news broke, District Commissioner T Bhoobalan wasted no time. He rushed to the hospital to personally assess the situation, speaking with the affected students and medical personnel. Understanding the gravity of the situation, the DC has since ordered a thorough inquiry into the incident. This isn't something that can simply be swept under the rug; accountability is paramount.

This alarming incident, sadly, isn't an isolated one. It echoes a very similar and deeply concerning event that occurred just last month. In November, approximately 100 students at a government school in Bidar fell ill after consuming contaminated food. The pattern is disturbing, raising serious questions about the quality control and oversight of food preparation in government-run residential schools across the state. What protocols are in place, and more importantly, are they being diligently followed?

Parents are, understandably, beside themselves with worry and anger. Sending your child to school, especially a residential one, comes with an inherent trust that their basic needs, including safe and nutritious food, will be met. To have that trust so egregiously violated is a profound betrayal. This latest incident in Vijayapura serves as a stark, stomach-churning reminder that the issue of food safety in these institutions demands immediate, robust, and sustainable solutions to prevent any further such distressing occurrences.