COVID: Food is precious, let's not waste it

Youth preparing meal packets for distribution in Kerala. Photo: PTI

Every morning, a large queue of dogs and pigeons surround the waste bin in our hostel mess. The reason? To eat food. Sometimes, dogs chase away the pigeons to grab most of the share. There is also a youth who comes in his bicycle along with biscuit packets to distribute among the dogs. 

Corona has affected the daily plans of many including animals. If we look around, we see many of them struggling to eat. I live in a residential area. Previously, dogs used to get rice from the surrounding small shops. But the shops are closed now. We see the dogs wandering around in search of food. When we go to grocery shops, we meet them standing there with a tired look on their faces. I often get them some biscuits. There are a few houses that keep a small tan with rice grains to feed the pigeons. Some others make small bowls to help them quench the thirst. A month earlier, feeding of pigeons was banned in public places. Security guards used to chase these birds away.

How are animals coping with the crisis? In Mumbai, media reports talk about the large presence of migratory birds. Several social media videos of animals entering the roads have gone viral. What about people like us?
Food is a basic right both for humans and animals. States are supplying food supply kits for families. Telangana has gone into an extra mile by distributing free food supplies for the needy. Such measures are appreciative. But, what is our guarantee that everyone is getting food? In New Delhi, images of people searching for used food items in waste bins have gone viral. Homeless people are living in cities. Are they eating anything? We don't know. NGOs, police and other organisations are serving the needy. But there are a handful lot needing help and isolated. Their voices are unheard because they are not accessible to media. Their needs are genuine. But they are helpless. How would they survive this time of crisis? 

It is reunion time for several families. They make new dishes. Is it okay to make them on every single day now? The whole world is going through a testing period. Agricultural production and distribution are likely to take a toll. Food Council of India (FCI) assured that there is enough stock till next March. But can we afford to take chances? If we purchase too many things, it could also affect the others, right? Last week, I came across a moving cartoon. It shows two mothers. One from a rich background and the other from a poor set up. Both have a common concern. "What can we make today"? One has got the luxury of choices while the other keeps looking at her empty vessels. Knowingly or unknowingly, if we take all the items, where will the others get food from? Transportation of vegetables and other goods have taken a toll due to the virus. While we get decent supplies, there could be many, staring at the dark, thinking about how to survive each passing day.   
Cooking experiments are a nice activity to kill time. One may not get such a good time to do it for the family. It is understandable that people make special dishes to make their day pleasant when everything is going haywire outside. You can eat what you like. No one will stop you. But do you want to be the reason for someone's misery? I am sure you don't.