Perfecting Youth

Author(s): Udayvallabhvijay
Publisher: Samkit Yuvak Mandal

Page 27

The aforesaid narration is not imaginary but is based on a government report on assessment of wastage of food and ostentatious behaviour during social gatherings (marriages/parties/meetings etc.).
• People do not mind throwing away the food but the menu has to be extensive, as any shortage would affect their honour and respect in the society.
Just declaring it as a 'National shame or naming it as a 'criminal wastage' will not serve the purpose. If there can be some regulations regarding PUC
(Pollution Under Control) for vehicles, · why can't there be a similar PUC
(Production - of food - Under Control) during such functions.
Declaring the food waste as a crime and taking no initiatives won't serve the purpose.
Much like Singapore's 'buffet syndrome', people in India pile their plates high to taste the many dishes on offer. Weddings normally feature a buffet of Indian dishes, Chinese, Thai and western continental. They feel "more-the number of dishes served, the higher the social standing." The trend of having multi-cuisine menu for weddings has accelerated the waste. Just in a couple of hours you see half eaten dishes pile up in empty dustbins next to the table. Wedding celebrations were never new. But in the days gone, limited numbers of traditional food items were prepared so the quantum and incidence of food waste was negligible. If some food remained uneaten or unserved, it was either consumed by the members of the house themselves or distributed to the fellow villagers, extended families and relatives for consumption.
An Indian who had been to Germany went through a memorable experience. His German colleagues had arranged a welcome party in a restaurant at Hamburg They placed the order and were waiting for the dishes to be served. There were a few more tables. They took their plates and finished every bit of food on their plates. As the dishes were served, he along with his friends finished dining in no time. There were other activities also arranged so they did not spent much time on eating. When they left, there was still about one-third of unconsumed food on the table. Just as they were leaving they
It's a matter of shock and shame for us.
PERFECTING YOUTH