Mysuru's food institutes come to TN's rescue

The Defence Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) under the Defence Research Development Organisation - which has already sent a food consignment to flood-hit Tamil Nadu - has prepared and packed 1.5 tonnes of food in the wake of intensified rains in northern Tamil Nadu.

The DFRL had received an order from the government for 1.5 tonnes of food and the preparations began on Tuesday night. The staffers worked round the clock and the second consignment was ready by Thursday evening. However, DFRL is yet to receive instructions about the mode of transportation.

Mallesha, a scientist in charge of public relations, said the consignment could be classified as ready-to-eat, ready-to-reconstitute and instant high-energy bars and would require two trucks if sent by road.

“If it has to be airlifted, the government has to take a decision and it may be transported by Army vehicles. Directions on transportation are expected by Friday morning,” he said.
He said, similar to the first consignment, that had been despatched from Mysuru on November 25, the second consignment includes instant upma mix, instant halwa mix, chapatis, vegetable pulav, potato peas curry, dal fry, sooji halwa, tomato rice, high-energy bars and instant vermicelli kheer.

Another food research institution in the city, the Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) under the Centre of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has geared up to deliver emergency food packets and drinking water to the flood-hit areas.

 The CSIR-CFTRI delivered its first batch of supplies on Thursday night. The products despatched are: 6,000 chapatis with tomato chutney and pickle, 10,000 portions of imli poha, 11,000 buns and biscuits, 5,000 unit packs of corn flakes and 25,000 bottles of drinking water. The products will be reached by road to CSIR-CLRI (Central Leather Research Institute) in Chennai, which will be the nodal hub for distribution of food to various districts of Tamil Nadu.

The production of disaster management foods will continue in CSIR-CFTRI for the next few days till the situation comes under control. The institute has earlier delivered food, catering to emergency requirements during floods in Uttarakhand, tsunami disaster and Kargil war.