Colas not flavour of week

Colas might soon become a rare commodity in Delhi school canteens after Centre for Science and Environment's findings, writes Swaha S Sahoo.

Colas might soon become a rare commodity in Delhi school canteens. A report by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), on high levels of pesticides in colas has forced schools to review their soft drink policy. Most of them are ready with a ban on aerated drinks.

St. Thomas School, Mandir Marg, has woken up to the health hazards of drinking colas. “After the latest controversy, we have asked the school canteen to do away with all the cola bottles,” said principal Cynthia Manoharan. “The vending machines are there but they do not work,” she added.

“We have banned colas from this session onwards,” said Mohini Bindra, principal of Ramjas School, Pusa Road. “Instead, we have set up a Mother Dairy counter to provide lassi milk shake and curd.” “It has been three years since we banned colas on the campus,” said Laxman Public School principal Usha Ram. “They have been replaced by fruit juice and milk shake.”

Students, however, are not ready to forsake colas because of just one report. “It is not that we drink colas everyday. And once in a while is fine,” said Rohan, a student of Amity International School, Noida. “But if it is proved that our health gets affected, then I think they should be banned not only in schools, but throughout the country," he said.

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