Bengal LPG Crisis: A video circulated on social media has sparked controversy after it captured schoolchildren being served phuchka instead of the usual midday meal amid the rising LPG crisis in India. The viral video clip showed students at a government school enjoying the popular street snack in the afternoon inside the campus.
The video was shared by Nandita Sarkar, who is staff at the Bhadrakali High School. The viral footage shows a phuchka seller standing in the school courtyard and serving the spicy water balls to the students lined up in the area. The children were given five to six of the phuchkas.
The video received mixed reactions; while some appreciated the replacement to cope with the LPG crisis, others criticised the act, highlighting that the children will meet the required nutrients from the snack. The viewers argued that phuchkas cannot be served as an alternative to daily food in the longer run. The netizens pointed out that phuckas can be served occasionally, but the government's midday meal should be served on a daily basis.
Netizens React
A netizen wrote in Bengali, “Address Din, Admission Nebo," which translates to send the address, and we too will take admission. A second user wrote, “Admission Nite ki ki documents lagbe,” which translates to "What documents do we need to take admission?”.
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Another commented, “Eta kon School? Amio bhorti hote chai," which translates to "Which school is this? I want to take admission." Another recommended phrase is “Fuchka na khaiye, fol khawate parten," which translates to "Instead of feeding fuckas, you could have served fruits."
Nationwide LPG Crisis
The video comes at a time when the country is struggling with the rising crisis of the LPG crisis. Several households in India are suffering greatly as a result of the LPG issue. Numerous films that have gone viral demonstrate how paying-guest hotels have reduced their menus, while small businesses are suffering as a result of gas cylinder shortages or supply delays.
People claim they are being forced to rely on temporary substitutes as cooking fuel becomes more difficult to obtain in some places; some online comments suggest that this scenario may now be affecting school kitchens as well.
India's crude oil, LPG, and liquefied natural gas supplies have been disrupted due to global shipping constraints after the US and Israel's war with Iran halted traffic through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. India's crude oil, LPG, and liquefied natural gas supplies have been disrupted due to global shipping constraints after the US. and Israel's war with Iran halted traffic through the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.