Father Agnel Schools in Delhi and Noida have started a campaign against junk food by removing junk items from their canteens’ menu.
The school authorities have replaced junk food with healthy items and have asked parents to provide a healthy meal every day to their children.
The school presented a programme ‘Healthy Alarum’ on October 6. Activists, NGOs, doctors, parents and students discussed ways to spread awareness about healthy living.
‘Oasis of hope’
“In a world that is moving with a stressful lifestyle to make more money, this is an oasis of hope for those who value their long life over short-term stress for a little more money,” said Father J A Carvalho, principal of the Gautam Nagar branch of the school.
Members from Uday Foundation pointed out that the spurt in multinational corporations in India has made junk food deceptively attractive, giving the impression that it is “safe and healthy.”
Activists said it is the duty of society and parents at large to sensitise children about the ill-effects of junk food.
In 2010, Uday Foundation had filed a PIL in the Delhi High Court against consumption of junk food in schools, which led to a ban on junk food consumption in several schools.
The foundation aims to convince schools in Delhi and National Capital Region to follow a complete ban of junk food in their canteens.