City Cops Get Diet Police

Off the menu: oily food.

A spot of good publicity has come the way of Mumbai police commissioner Arup Patnaik, who is currently beset by accusations that cops failed to contain Saturday’s riot at Azad Maidan. Patnaik recently initiated an overhaul of the food served in police canteens in the city, insisting that his force switch to a healthier diet. To this end, he hired nutritionist Dr. Nupur Krishnan, who surveyed the kitchens at the police canteens attached to the stations at Nagpada, Kalina, Crawford Market, Azad Maidan and Naigaon. Krishnan found oily food and unhygienic conditions such as bugs in drinking water, chapatis stored in dustbins and fungus-lined basins. Most cops, she discovered, survived on a fatty diet of vada pao, missal and tea. Krishnan even met an officer who was proud to have consumed “one lakh” vada paos. According to the Mumbai Mirror, thanks to Krishnan, the five canteens started serving a health-friendly menu of soups, juices and boiled and steamed vegetables in mid-July. However the Crawford Market police canteen, which like the one at Azad Maidan is open to the public, has been serving healthier fare since it was renovated last year. If Patnaik’s plan succeeds, he will have achieved the unimaginable: policemen without paunches.

Look at these pix: This is what our cops eat! [Mumbai Mirror]