Spotlight: How Indira Canteens lost flavour among patrons in Bengaluru

Indira Canteens, designed to provide affordable meals to daily-wage workers and others in Bengaluru, have faced challenges with consistent quality and nutrition. The canteens were initially funded generously but have seen funding cutbacks since the BJP government took power. Despite serving a large number of people daily, concerns remain about the repetitive menu, inconsistent food quality, and lack of basic nutritional additions like eggs or buttermilk. While some improvements have been made, including the addition of ragi mudde at lunch, many workers and residents still rely on these canteens for their primary source of nutrition. The future of Indira Canteens hinges on renewed funding from corporations and a focus on addressing menu deficiencies to ensure consistent quality and nutritional value for all users.