The Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) Mysuru, sent ready-to-eat, instant food mixes, easy cooking and bakery products for distribution among the victims of the recent Amphan Cyclone. The super cyclonic storm, Amphan, was a powerful and deadly tropical cyclone that caused widespread damage in the eastern India, especially West Bengal.

“We are more than happy to help, but pray that such instances are rare and far apart in time,” said Dr. KSMS Raghavarao, Director, CFTRI, indicating how the back-to-back calamities take the sap out of the lives of people. The cyclone has affected 44.80 lakh people in 89 blocks. Balasore, Bhadrak, Jagatsinghpur, and Kendrapara districts have been badly affected.

“ We sent 14 tonnes of ready-to-eat Vegetable Pulav and Sambar Rice, 5 tonnes of Instant Poha, and 15 tonnes of high-protein biscuits,”

The Institute sent 39 tonnes of foods to Kolkata where the impact of the cyclone was more. “We sent 14 tonnes of ready-to-eat Vegetable Pulav and Sambar Rice, 5 tonnes of Instant Poha, and 15 tonnes of high-protein biscuits,” said Dr Rao. In addition, the Nestle India Limited, Nanjanagud, contributed 5 tonnes of instant-to-cook noodles under its corporate social responsibility programme.

The instant foods, ready-to-eat foods and biscuits were manufactured by licensees of the Institute such as M/s Praveen Masalewale, Pune; MTR Foods Ltd, Bengaluru; and Seven Pillars Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi. The foods were transported to Kolkata to reach the office of the Principal Secretary, Disaster Management and Civil Defence, Government of West Bengal, by train and road. India Science Wire