dead lizard – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com Mainstreaming Alternate Sat, 27 Sep 2025 08:53:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://thecommunemag.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/cropped-TC_SF-1-32x32.jpg dead lizard – The Commune https://thecommunemag.com 32 32 Lizard Found In Midday Meal At Govt School In Cuddalore; 18 Students Taken To Hospital As Precaution https://thecommunemag.com/lizard-found-in-midday-meal-at-cuddalore-school-18-students-taken-to-hospital-as-precaution/ Fri, 26 Sep 2025 04:42:57 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=129824 A Panchayat Union Middle School located in Adhivaraganatham near Bhuvanagiri, in the Cuddalore district, was the site of a food safety scare earlier today. The school, which has over 120 students, was serving breakfast as part of the government’s morning meal scheme when a student reportedly discovered a lizard in the food. Around 18 students […]

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A Panchayat Union Middle School located in Adhivaraganatham near Bhuvanagiri, in the Cuddalore district, was the site of a food safety scare earlier today. The school, which has over 120 students, was serving breakfast as part of the government’s morning meal scheme when a student reportedly discovered a lizard in the food.

Around 18 students had already consumed the meal before the contamination was noticed. Although no immediate health issues were reported among the children, the school authorities promptly called in medical staff from Bhuvanagiri Government Hospital as a precaution. The students were given initial treatment on-site.

Upon hearing of the incident, concerned parents rushed to the school, leading to a tense exchange with the teaching staff. The situation caused considerable commotion in the area. As a further safety measure, the 18 affected students were transported by ambulance to Chidambaram Government Hospital for observation. All students are reported to be in stable condition.

Repeated Midday Meal Incidents Raise Serious Safety Concerns Across Tamil Nadu

The recent incident is not an isolated case, over the past few years, similar food contamination incidents have been reported across various districts in Tamil Nadu raising alarming questions about the quality control, hygiene practices, and oversight in the state’s school meal schemes.

Despite repeated occurrences, little seems to have been done to prevent these avoidable mishaps.

Timeline of Incidents

#1 24 June 2025: over 50 students at Anaivari Panchayat Union Primary School reportedly fell ill after consuming breakfast suspected to have contained a lizard in Villupuram district. Several students fainted and vomited shortly after eating and were rushed to Kalpattu Government Primary Health Centre. Two temporary kitchen staff were dismissed, and the School Education Department launched an investigation.

#2 July 2025: In a government-run hostel linked to the Government Girls’ Higher Secondary School in the Courtallam area, nine female students fell ill after breakfast and were admitted to Tenkasi Government Hospital. The hostel is reportedly managed by the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

#3 13 August 2025: Eight students were hospitalized after a lizard was allegedly discovered in their breakfast of rava khichdi provided under the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme at Punairuppu Government Primary School in Thiruvarur district.

#4 10 September 2022: In Tiruvannamalai district’s, Mothakal village, 47 students were hospitalized after eating contaminated midday meals that reportedly contained dead lizards.

#5 31 May 2022: In Pudukottai District, three children suffered from vomiting and diarrhea at the Thondaiman Nagar Anganwadi. Food served to 50 children was later found to contain beetles and worms. All children were treated at Pudukottai Government Hospital.

#6 29 October 2022: In Tiruvannamalai district, at a school near Keezhpennathur, 15 students were hospitalized after a lizard’s head was reportedly found in the food consumed by a class 10 student. Over 150 students were enrolled in the school at the time.

Despite these recurring health hazards some involving contaminated food, others undercooked or poorly stored items systemic reforms remain elusive. While temporary suspensions of staff and inquiries are frequently announced, no lasting structural changes have been implemented to ensure food safety in school and hostel kitchens.

Critics argue that the lack of accountability, poor quality control, and insufficient health inspections continue to put thousands of students at risk across Tamil Nadu.

(With inputs from Daily Thanthi)

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]]> Eight Govt School Students Hospitalised After Lizard Found In Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme Meal In Thiruvarur https://thecommunemag.com/eight-govt-school-students-hospitalised-after-lizard-found-in-chief-ministers-breakfast-scheme-meal-in-thiruvarur/ Thu, 14 Aug 2025 07:15:56 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=124989 In a disturbing incident from Thiruvarur district, eight students were rushed to the Kumbakonam Government Hospital on 13 August 2025 morning after consuming food from the Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme, where a dead lizard was allegedly discovered in the meal. The students, enrolled at Punairuppu Government Primary School, had been served rava khichdi as part […]

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In a disturbing incident from Thiruvarur district, eight students were rushed to the Kumbakonam Government Hospital on 13 August 2025 morning after consuming food from the Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme, where a dead lizard was allegedly discovered in the meal.

The students, enrolled at Punairuppu Government Primary School, had been served rava khichdi as part of the morning meal initiative. While eating, a lizard was reportedly spotted in the food, prompting immediate concern. The affected students were quickly admitted for medical observation and treatment.

This isn’t the first time serious lapses in food safety have been reported under the school meal programmes in Tamil Nadu.

Back in June 2025, a similar incident occurred at the Panchayat Union Primary School in Anaivari village, near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district, where more than 50 students fell ill after consuming a breakfast that allegedly contained a lizard. Many students began vomiting and fainting soon after eating and were taken to the Kalpattu Government Primary Health Centre. In response, two temporary kitchen staff were dismissed, and an inquiry was initiated by the School Education Department, overseen by the Assistant SSA Project Director.

Earlier, on 12 June 2025, yet another food safety breach was reported from Kallakurichi district, where students at a government school were served spoiled mid-day meals contaminated with worms and bugs. According to reports, the rice used had been stored improperly for over a month during the summer holidays, leading to contamination. A viral video showed distressed students pleading with the Education Minister for access to clean and safe food, highlighting the gravity of the issue.

These recurring cases have sparked growing concern about the quality control and safety measures in place for meals provided under state-run welfare schemes. Parents, activists, and educationists are calling for stricter monitoring, accountability, and immediate corrective action to ensure children’s health is not compromised.

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]]> Lizard In Meals, Toilet As Kitchen, Students Beating Teachers: Back-To-Back Incidents Show Pathetic State Of Dravidian Model Schools Which Was Hailed By DMK Stooge Actor Karthi https://thecommunemag.com/lizard-in-meals-toilet-as-kitchen-students-beating-teachers-back-to-back-incidents-show-pathetic-state-of-dravidian-model-schools-which-was-hailed-by-dmk-stooge-actor-karthi/ Wed, 25 Jun 2025 11:32:03 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=119087 While Dravidianist actor Karthi, whose children reportedly go to elite international schools, showered praise on Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh portraying government schools as thriving under his leadership — his remarks appear more like political appeasement toward the DMK’s first family than a reflection of reality. On the ground, the condition of government […]

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While Dravidianist actor Karthi, whose children reportedly go to elite international schools, showered praise on Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh portraying government schools as thriving under his leadership — his remarks appear more like political appeasement toward the DMK’s first family than a reflection of reality. On the ground, the condition of government schools in Tamil Nadu tells a very different story. In just the span of two days, multiple alarming incidents were reported across the state: students caught using drugs and even assaulting a teacher who tried to intervene; school toilets being used as kitchens to cook mid-day meals due to lack of infrastructure; and a breakfast program so poorly managed that children were served meals contaminated with lizards. These troubling events cast a harsh spotlight on the actual state of public education in Tamil Nadu far removed from the glowing endorsements of celebrity supporters.

In just two days, multiple disturbing reports have surfaced from different districts across the state.

One such incident took place at the Panruti Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Cuddalore district, where students were allegedly caught using drugs such as Ganja and created ruckus on campus. When a teacher tried to intervene, he was attacked with stones by the students. The shocking event has prompted the public to demand strict measures to curb drug use among students and to provide proper counseling services.

In another case from Ramanathapuram district, the Panchayat Union Higher Secondary School in Thirupalaikudi, R.S.Mangalam Taluk, faces a severe lack of basic facilities. Despite having thousands of students enrolled, the school lacks functioning toilets. Even more alarmingly, the space near the defunct toilets is being used as a kitchen to prepare midday meals. As a result, female students, especially, face serious discomfort and hygiene issues. Local residents have called on the authorities to immediately intervene and ensure that the school is operated under proper conditions, with adequate facilities for cooking and sanitation.

Speaking to the media, a social activist named Thangaraj said, “There’s a higher secondary school in Thirupalaikudi Panchayat, R.S.Mangalam Taluk. Thousands of students are studying there today, but if you see it lacks proper toilet facilities. The very place where students go for toilet is used to cook the midday meals. The cooking area is a toilet. This is causing a lot of hardship for the people, especially the girl students who don’t have proper restrooms. It’s not just the absence of toilets; the cooking area itself doubles as a toilet. We urge the local administration and officials to immediately address this issue and ensure the Thirupalaikudi Government Higher Secondary School operates properly. There are many shortcomings, and we request that they all be resolved.”

Meanwhile, in Anaivari village near Thiruvennainallur in Villupuram district, a deeply troubling food safety lapse occurred at the Panchayat Union Primary School. Over 50 students fell ill after consuming breakfast that allegedly contained a lizard. Several students started vomiting and fainted shortly after eating. They were promptly taken to the nearby Kalpattu Government Primary Health Centre for treatment. Following the incident, two temporary kitchen staff were dismissed, and an investigation has been launched by the School Education Department under the Assistant SSA Project Director.

These incidents collectively cast a grim shadow on the claims of excellence in Tamil Nadu’s public education system. Despite political praise and curated narratives, the lived experiences of students in government schools highlight systemic negligence, poor infrastructure, and lapses in student safety and welfare.

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]]> Asst Professors Hospitalized After Consuming Food Contaminated By Dead Lizard During Naan Muthalvan Scheme Training At Madras University https://thecommunemag.com/asst-professors-hospitalized-after-consuming-food-contaminated-by-dead-lizard-during-naan-muthalvan-scheme-training-at-madras-university/ Wed, 18 Jun 2025 10:47:57 +0000 https://thecommunemag.com/?p=118185 A major health scare unfolded at the University of Madras’s Kotturpuram campus on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, after more than a dozen assistant professors fell ill during a training session under the Naan Muthalvan scheme. The cause? Contaminated food — specifically, chickpeas reportedly containing a dead lizard. The affected professors were attending the third day […]

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A major health scare unfolded at the University of Madras’s Kotturpuram campus on Wednesday, 18 June 2025, after more than a dozen assistant professors fell ill during a training session under the Naan Muthalvan scheme. The cause? Contaminated food — specifically, chickpeas reportedly containing a dead lizard.

The affected professors were attending the third day of the government-run training program aimed at preparing faculty to coach students for competitive examinations. Over a hundred assistant professors from government and private arts and science colleges had gathered for the event.

According to reports, the contaminated chickpeas were served during a meal. Shortly after consumption, more than ten professors began vomiting and collapsed on the premises. Emergency medical services were called immediately, and the ill were rushed to Saidapet Government General Hospital for treatment.

Eyewitnesses and participants claim the food appeared visibly unhygienic, and some alleged that the contaminants had fallen from a tree before being served. The situation quickly escalated, prompting protests by faculty members against the university’s lack of oversight in ensuring food safety during such official events.

More than a dozen ambulances were deployed to the campus in response to the incident. Hospital sources confirm that several of the professors are being treated for symptoms consistent with food poisoning.

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