The higher education department of Odisha has taken a step towards reducing the economic burden on its students The government has issued a letter to principals of all government and aided colleges asking them to reduce oil usage in food for students, especially avoiding high-oil menu items like puris, vadas, and bondas (aloo chops) for breakfast.

The conflict in Ukraine has resulted in supply-side issues of food, fertiliser and fuel. The recent conflict in Iran has further exacerbated this food, fuel and fertiliser crisis,” said an official from the higher education department. For related coverage, explore our detailed analysis on Technology and Digital Systems.

Reason Behind the Move

“The move is also aimed at promoting healthier eating habits among the students and youths,” said an official. The letter also urged college authorities to ask volunteers associated with the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the Youth Red Cross to organise awareness programmes on reducing oil consumption.

Odisha has over 1,000 government colleges with a total student strength of 2.87 lakh. The state is also expected to benefit from this move as it will help reduce the economic burden on its students and promote healthier eating habits.

The college authorities have been asked to work closely with the NSS and Youth Red Cross to implement this initiative effectively.

Promoting Healthier Eating Habits

The letter also urged college authorities to ask volunteers associated with the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the Youth Red Cross to organise awareness programmes on reducing oil consumption.

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Odisha has over 1,000 government colleges with a total student strength of 2.87 lakh.

Cutting down on cooking oil and avoiding high-oil and deep-fried foods in hostels and canteens are among the instructions the Odisha government has delivered to its colleges – a move aimed at reducing the economic burden amid rising global uncertainties. The higher education department delivered a letter to principals of all government and government-aided colleges on Friday, asking them to reduce oil usage in food for students.

Instructions have also been delivered to avoid high-oil menu items like puris, vadas and bondas (aloo chops) for breakfast, reduce deep-fried food without compromising nutrition, and promote traditional ghee, mustard oil and groundnut oil over imported palm, sunflower and soyabean oil. The conflict in Ukraine also resulted in supply-side issues of food, fertiliser and fuel.

The recent conflict in lran has further exacerbated this food, fuel and fertiliser crisis,” the letter read. This comes months after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal asking Indian households to reduce cooking oil consumption “The move is also aimed at promoting healthier eating habits among the students and youths,” stated an official.

The letter also urged college authorities to ask volunteers associated with the National Service Scheme (NSS) and the Youth Red Cross to organise awareness programmes on reducing oil consumption. Odisha has over 1,000 government colleges with a total student strength of 2.87 lakh.