Entering a classroom during lunch time gives me a visual treat, especially if its a primary classroom. They have the most expensive lunch box and colourful towels.. well few never brings it though. Delicious food and its mesmerising aroma fills my nostrils with delight. The visual treat becomes more guarded when I notice the rice strewn around the towel and on the floor. I frown and stretch my vision to see the state of other kids. To my horror I see that most of them are in the same state of feeding themselves. It seems to be a battle field where they are desperately trying to conquer the war with food. In order to satiate my curiosity I tried indulging in small conversation by asking them why they find it so difficult to eat with ease. My further investigation lead me to a truth that they are fed by their mother at home. Another one exclaimed that he ate five dosa in the morning and biscuits for snack so he cannot eat the biriyani in the lunch. Wow!!! that was a huge list. Its no wonder that he is now battling with the biriyani.

Let this be a revelation for everyone to decide whether food is a need or a want. Eat or feed to live… never live to eat. Let our children be healthy and value food and its possible only when they are adequately fed. Eat to reduce hunger not to satisfy greed. Also let our children be able to feed themselves so that they realise how much they need to eat and hence value food.