Located far away in a corner of Bandra East in Mumbai, Kherwadi area is just like any other slum area. Overcrowded markets, overloaded houses and people everywhere make up the essence of this place. The bylanes are so narrow that two people cannot pass by at the same time. Situated in such a place is a self help group run by two strong headed women, namely Sandhya and Kalpana. They run ‘Samta,’ basically a canteen, where around about seven to eight women work to sustain their livelihood, all of them hailing from lower socio-economic background.

But why are we talking about Samta? The reason, they just updated themselves about the growing issue of Genetically Modified food crops in India. Six young volunteers from Greenpeace India visited Samta on the 8th of September 2009 to sensitize these strong willed women about the possible health and environmental hazards of GE (Genetic Engineering) technology.

“Language was a big barrier for us,” says one of the volunteers present, “and to bridge the communication divide, we played a light hearted documentary which demystifies the difficulties in understanding gene technology and its potential ill-effects.”

“This is a very serious issue,” said one of the women in her local language, “people like you and me have to do something about it.” Following this concern were written letters and signed petitions stating that they do not support GM food crops and want it to be banned in India, just like it has been banned in other countries.

They expressed their thanks to the young volunteers and bid farewell, wishing them good luck for their journey towards a cause.

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Forget negotiating with your usual college bad eggs – When it comes to food safety, the staff and students of Guru Nanak Khalsa College of Mumbai know exactly how to deal with genetic junk, kicking GE food straight out of their educational institute with their heads held high!

A flashback of colour and craziness hit me as I entered the premises. College being one of the most fun times of my life all with the friends, projects and parties, laid the foundations to my future. Stepping back, I felt lucky to have gotten by without having to ever eat this GE baloney.

The ‘canteen days’ were magical, because no matter who you were in college, everyone, and I mean everyone went to the canteen. In fact, most college cool-cats hung out there. After years, it was no surprise to see that somethings still hadn’t changed.

This is exactly why, when it came down to food and safety of the youth, Guru Nanak Khalsa College, took a stand ensuring their students were no guinea pigs to this genetic junk. Besides creating awareness about the disasters of GE food consumption, the college committed to Greenpeace (and to students, staff and parents)that No GE food shall be sold or consumed in their college canteens and premises.

Leading by example and signing a petition vowing that No GE food will be sold on premises, the concerned principal goes further encouraging other educational institutions to do the same.

You wouldn’t want your child messing up their future in college, right? So why would you want anyone to mess up their health?

There are health impacts that GM food brings about which cannot be changed, but following Khalsa College, there is a simple way to not reach that stage. Simply by saying No! And here in India that’s easy, so if the cats got your tongue, a slight nod of the head will do!

It was heartfelt to see the disappointed look and sadden attitude of the canteen manager… which was straight out of an emotional flick. He was shocked that this junk, (and genetically modified junk at that) was being sold by companies. Worse still, there’s a nation of brilliant youth still eating, and scores of canteens still selling, unaware of the genetic tampering that in course, will ruin our future!

Education propels a revolution…So go back to school, college, wherever you studied or are studying, walk up and demand your right to eat safe!

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The Guru Nanak Khalsa College of Mumbai commits to Greenpeace that No GE food shall be sold or consumed in their College Canteens and Premises. The Principal showed their concern towards the Health impacts that GM Food may cause to the Students of the Colleges along with the Canteen Manager/ Incharge who was very disappointed with the fact that these Products may enter the Markets.

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