The very face of Kanhangad, a town located in the northern part of Kerala, has changed overnight! A tiny greenish town that still cherishes the clip-clops of the horses of the legendary Ikkeri rulers transformed into a municipality that today looks like a town in a developed nation. Thanks to The Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) a World Bank-funded organisation that has been the key reason behind the makeover.
The road project that extends from Kanhangad to Kasaragod, has made it possible not only to change the very outlook of the towns it passes but also has reduced the time of travel to Kasaragod, the capital city of the district considerably. I wonder if a similar project could change the face of our whole nation – probably anyone would ponder so and with the fast-paced development, the same wouldn’t be merely a dream too!
Getting down in the newly inaugurated Municipal bus stand at around 4 PM, there were a few minutes left until one of my friends who promised to meet there could arrive there. The pangs of hunger had been intense; I could find an attractive restaurant right in front of the bus stand. It was rather surprising that there were not many restaurants in a rapidly developing area; all that I could see was a few street food vendors who were busy with their local customers.
Not often we can find restaurants upon the table of which we can place our hands without fear, but the restaurant that appeared new was beautiful and clean too and the smile of the waiter added beauty to it. There were just a few people who appeared busy with ‘fighting’ with the food in their plates. As I eagerly waited, finally, the supplier came, the very sight of which boosted my appetite. But the excitement didn’t last longer!
The very first bite of the food was awful! Though I tasted a food item that I often eat, the one in front of me was different, and so was the rest of the food supplied too. I was wondering if my perception of food has changed or if they are trying to bring another flavour of the same food which I have been tasting since I knew that item – I must say I was perplexed. Looking at my face the supplier approached me again to whom I told the issue.
“Generally, wherever I go, I try to find some positive attribute so that I can appreciate. But somehow today I feel different because the food tastes rather unpalatable!” I told him.
“No way is the food wrong, Sir! A number of people take the same item home and all of them have given great feedback too.” – As he answered I was cursing my own taste buds. Somehow I managed to finish eating the food in front of me, paid the money and came out of the restaurant to continue the waiting for my friend who was still far away from the destination.
As I was seated one among the empty chairs in the waiting area, suddenly I could feel cramps in my stomach which gradually worsened. The food within my belly has started showing its rage! Holding my palm against the stomach I rushed for medical help where a few tablets reduced the intensity of the pain. It took a few hours to make myself comfortable, but it was then I thought of those who would have my same fate.
Maybe the authorities could stop them – after a couple of calls I managed to get the contact number of the local health Inspector and briefed him about the incident. The happiness I felt after talking to him was beyond the scope of verbalization. A devoted government employee who is highly concerned about the health of people – perhaps a few public servants could change India! After all, he represents a department that holds the key to the fundamental right of a citizen!
India is notorious for unsafe food. Thousands of people including children so far have lost their life just because of the negligence of the authority on following any strict guidelines in the preparation and serving of the food. On the other hand, news from all around is pouring in where we can find the packaged food materials including grocery are filled with dangerous chemicals. Who cares?
Even the companies that pack poison instead of food flourish day by day, bribing the officials at various levels! News media are careful enough not to reveal the identity of such companies even if a brave officer attempts acting against such companies which are threats to public health! Ultimately it is their advertisements that feed even the greed of owners of newspapers!
At around 9 pm I received a call from the Health Inspector. It was shocking to hear that not just the food that was served to me, but most of the food materials available there was a few days old and unpalatable! He told me about the proceedings that he carried out. He was rather sad that he could not prepare the charge sheet as the municipality office was already closed.
A happy ending! But the next day, while passing through the same road again, when I found the same restaurant opened and well lit, I called up the health inspector.
“Ahaa…yes, we checked yesterday and have destroyed the food.”
“What about the charge sheet?” I asked him.
“No, we didn’t prepare, but see, we have destroyed the food”
As he answered I asked him “Is that the only proceeding? There are definitely a few steps that have to be carried out. When a judge finds a murder, would he free him saying I pardon you as it is your first crime?” He was silent! Following the incident I called up the Chairman of the Municipality who pretended shocked and ensured justice. He also briefed about his herculean efforts to bring development in the municipality and also to protect the interests of its people.
It was later the true story unfolded – the owner of the restaurant is a close friend of the Chairman and also an active worker of the leftist CPI(M). The doubt that there was a major interference in the incident is almost confirmed. It was shocking to think that if this is the scenario in Kerala the so-called paradise of the most civilized communities in the country! Nevertheless, amidst the fact that Kerala is highly literate, it is a consumerist state with the highest number of people affected by ailments connected to lifestyle. Deceases like cancer is taking the lives of thousands every day! Who is responsible for this?
I am not so very much disappointed with the incident, but I am sad to see how worthless citizens are considered here. I am not bothered about the pain that I suffered, but it aches when I see how authorities treat the system of law and justice in this country. I am not tired of suffering the poisoned food, but dead knowing that any Himalayan effort to bring them under the judicial system would put my life in danger where I could be slashed into pieces by those political criminals. It was just a couple of months ago such a murder shook the state. As a writer, is that my only responsibility to describe a fetid incident in a media that could either accept or reject considering their affiliation towards the political parties?
During the tired evenings, when I drive towards home, there is often a scene that even accelerates my vehicle – two little girls waiting near the gate to scream – Papa has come! Until quite a couple of years ago, I was not so – life or death, they didn’t make any difference in the routine. Nevertheless, somewhere deep within now I yearn for a few years to see my kids grow up to face all those challenges that life could pose in front of them!
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