Bijnor’s Buckwheat Flour Causes Illness During Sharadiya Navratri
On the first day of the Sharadiya Navratri festival in Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, many people fell ill after consuming food made from allegedly poisonous buckwheat flour. Symptoms included vomiting, diarrhea, stomach aches, and body tremors. Hundreds were admitted to local CHC centers, with critical cases sent to the district hospital.
Authorities Respond
Bijnor’s District Magistrate (DM), Superintendent of Police (SP), and Chief Medical Officer (CMO), Ankit Kumar Agarwal, reported that 125-150 patients were identified. Samples of the flour have been sent for testing, and strict action is promised against those responsible.
Impact on the Community
The incident occurred in the Chandpur area, where many were observing a fast for Navratri. After breaking their fast with buckwheat flour dishes, entire families experienced food poisoning. The CMO has ensured that both private and government hospitals are treating patients, and the food department is investigating the contamination.
Doubts Revealed
Bijnor -: Bijnor is a district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is known for its rich culture and history.
Buckwheat Flour -: Buckwheat flour is a type of flour made from buckwheat seeds. It is often used during fasting periods in India, like Navratri, because it is gluten-free and considered a ‘fasting food’.
Sharadiya Navratri -: Sharadiya Navratri is a Hindu festival celebrated in the autumn. It involves nine nights of worship, dance, and fasting in honor of the goddess Durga.
DM, SP, CMO -: DM stands for District Magistrate, SP stands for Superintendent of Police, and CMO stands for Chief Medical Officer. These are important officials in a district responsible for administration, law enforcement, and health services, respectively.
Symptoms -: Symptoms are signs that show someone is sick. In this case, people had vomiting and diarrhea, which means they were throwing up and had upset stomachs.
Food Department -: The Food Department is a government body that ensures the safety and quality of food products. They test food items to make sure they are safe to eat.