**Rayagada/Bhubaneswar**: “Mango kernels are consumed in the tribal belts on special occasions after proper processing. Everyone consumes it,” revealed Shri Lal Bihari Himrika, Cabinet Minister, ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward, Odisha Government to Ommcom News.
“First, mango kernels are grinded in the evening, moist and kept in a container covered with leaves overnight. Then, in the morning the kernels are cleaned properly in the river water until its bitterness is washed away. These processed mango kernels are perfectly okay to consume,” he explained.
This statement coming from a cabinet rank tribal minister is surprising in the wake of the criticism faced by the BJD government regarding the recent deaths after consumption of porridge made out of mango kernel in Kashipur block.
At least two tribals named Ranjan Majhi aged about fourteen years and Narasingha Majhi aged sixty years belonging to village Sipijodi in Talajhiri gram panchayat under Kashipur block died and six fell severely ill after allegedly consuming mango kernel gruel in Odisha’s tribal-dominated Rayagada district, on Saturday according to the sources.
“We are conducting an inquiry to know whether they had consumed mango kernel or it was a case of food poisoning. A team of doctors is inquiring into the matter and steps would be taken accordingly,” Rayagada Additional District Magistrate Laxmikant Behera said.
“When there are job cards, ration cards and adequate grains and rice available in that area, then it is not proper to term the deaths as starvation deaths. I have even consumed mango kernels on special occasions and survived. The tribal people even prepare delicacies from these kernels on special occasions. Even if not processed properly, these mango kernels if consumed, would cause loose motions,” explained the Minister from Rayagada.
It was in 1987 that Kashipur had hit the headlines for starvation deaths. The then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi visited Kashipur and declared a special project involving about Rs 50 crore. This area was covered under the special KBK programme in 1996.
Programmes spread over 70 years after Independence and almost 30 years focussed attention are supposed to have changed the face of this area, but it is now again hitting the headlines for the very same unpleasant reasons.
Deaths which were attributed to consumption of fungus-ridden mango kernel continue time and again. This region has been receiving special attention and hundreds of crores has been spent. The area also received specific attention when (in 2001,August) 20 had died in Kashipur block. Their death was attributed to consumption of mango kernel.
Then again during 2007, around 270 people died during rainy season, mostly women & children. According to the visiting doctors (there was a dearth of doctors in the area) the deaths occurred due to eating of rotten beef and fermented food stuff kept for days together. But the eye witnesses described this to be the same old story getting repeated.
During 2007 deaths, the presently officiating CM Sri Naveen Patnaik along with several other politicians made a beeline to the same Talajhiri village. And just after a decade, there is a recurrence of deaths in the same panchayat due to same reasons. Now, while the same politicians are engrossed with issues like Mahanadi politicization & defending Nagada & Dana Majhi episodes, the delivery mechanism is in deep slumber.
“It is very unfortunate that even after 16 years of governance from BJD government, the tribal people eat mango kernels as their traditional food in places like Rayagada. Our late PM, Mrs Indira Gandhi had taken up the ‘Garibi Hatao’ slogan. The ration card scheme and BPL scheme are all initiatives of the Congress government. If there is no development in the tribal belts of Odisha after so many years, the ruling party is responsible for it,” alleged Prafulla Majhi, the Congress leader.
“It is shameful of the tribal minister to advocate the consumption of mango kernels,” said Taraprasad Bahinipati, Congress leader.
When our correspondent asked some doctors in Capital hospital, Bhubaneswar regarding the nutritional content of mango kernels, they refused to comment on it.
“Mango kernals have no nutritional value. The tribals eat this out of habit when they do not have anything else to eat they boil the kernels and eat it. They may be contaminated with bacteria which cause gastro problems and even death,” said Dr. Suresh Chandra Rath, Medicine Specialist.