<p>The tragic deaths of two students following a food poisoning incident at a private school in Malavalli in Mandya district serve as a grim reminder of how even the most well-intentioned acts can spiral into catastrophic outcomes when safety protocols are ignored. </p><p>What started as a charitable gesture by a local businessman during Holi celebrations – a donation of food to bring joy – turned into a nightmare, claiming young lives and leaving more than 120 people, including the students of Gokula Vidya Samsthe, gravely ill. </p><p>This incident should act as a wake-up call for philanthropists, educational institutions, and regulatory authorities to prioritise safety over everything else.</p>.<p>The contaminated food prepared and supplied by a local hotel has sparked outrage and raised pressing questions about accountability. While most of those hospitalised have since been discharged, the loss of young lives cannot be undone. The hotel owner, defending his reputation, claims a 16-year history of catering for government events without prior complaints. </p><p>He has called for a detailed investigation, even suggesting the possibility of sabotage. Given his long-standing service record, a thorough inquiry is indeed warranted to determine whether the tragedy stemmed from negligence or foul play. More importantly, the tragedy highlights the dire need to enforce regulatory oversight in educational and residential institutions. </p><p>Shockingly, the school in question was operating an illegal hostel, a fact that only amplifies the administrative negligence. The Karnataka Child Rights Observatory has warned that numerous schools across the state run unauthorised hostels, exposing the children to a range of risks – unsafe food being just one. This bureaucratic apathy is a ticking time bomb, threatening the well-being of countless students.</p>.<p>The government must take decisive action and crack down on illegal hostels immediately, coupled with mandatory regular audits and surprise inspections to ensure compliance with basic safety and hygiene standards. Schools and hostels must be required to maintain certified in-house kitchens, and leftover or unsupervised food donations should be banned. </p><p>Clear accountability measures, including penal action against management personnel who flout norms, must be instituted. While philanthropy is a noble pursuit, donors should be guided to work through regulated channels, supported by awareness programmes emphasising food safety and liability. </p><p>The Malavalli incident is not merely a case of food poisoning – it is a failure of the system to protect its most vulnerable. Preventing such incidents in the future demands more than punitive action; it requires systemic reform, heightened community vigilance and a cultural shift towards uncompromising accountability. Only then can we ensure that goodwill does not become a gateway to grief.</p>
<p>The tragic deaths of two students following a food poisoning incident at a private school in Malavalli in Mandya district serve as a grim reminder of how even the most well-intentioned acts can spiral into catastrophic outcomes when safety protocols are ignored. </p><p>What started as a charitable gesture by a local businessman during Holi celebrations – a donation of food to bring joy – turned into a nightmare, claiming young lives and leaving more than 120 people, including the students of Gokula Vidya Samsthe, gravely ill. </p><p>This incident should act as a wake-up call for philanthropists, educational institutions, and regulatory authorities to prioritise safety over everything else.</p>.<p>The contaminated food prepared and supplied by a local hotel has sparked outrage and raised pressing questions about accountability. While most of those hospitalised have since been discharged, the loss of young lives cannot be undone. The hotel owner, defending his reputation, claims a 16-year history of catering for government events without prior complaints. </p><p>He has called for a detailed investigation, even suggesting the possibility of sabotage. Given his long-standing service record, a thorough inquiry is indeed warranted to determine whether the tragedy stemmed from negligence or foul play. More importantly, the tragedy highlights the dire need to enforce regulatory oversight in educational and residential institutions. </p><p>Shockingly, the school in question was operating an illegal hostel, a fact that only amplifies the administrative negligence. The Karnataka Child Rights Observatory has warned that numerous schools across the state run unauthorised hostels, exposing the children to a range of risks – unsafe food being just one. This bureaucratic apathy is a ticking time bomb, threatening the well-being of countless students.</p>.<p>The government must take decisive action and crack down on illegal hostels immediately, coupled with mandatory regular audits and surprise inspections to ensure compliance with basic safety and hygiene standards. Schools and hostels must be required to maintain certified in-house kitchens, and leftover or unsupervised food donations should be banned. </p><p>Clear accountability measures, including penal action against management personnel who flout norms, must be instituted. While philanthropy is a noble pursuit, donors should be guided to work through regulated channels, supported by awareness programmes emphasising food safety and liability. </p><p>The Malavalli incident is not merely a case of food poisoning – it is a failure of the system to protect its most vulnerable. Preventing such incidents in the future demands more than punitive action; it requires systemic reform, heightened community vigilance and a cultural shift towards uncompromising accountability. Only then can we ensure that goodwill does not become a gateway to grief.</p>
