The current LPG crunch in the country has led to hotels charging gas charge for a lemonade to restaurants using firewood for cooking. Amid the crisis, a video has gone viral on social media where students of a West Bengal Government school are seen eating phuchkas for their mid-day meal.
According to a report by India Today, the video was shared on Instagram by Nandita Sarkar, an assistant teacher at Bhadrakali High School. In the clip, Sarkar shows a phuchka vendor standing inside the school courtyard while students gather around to receive the popular street snack.
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The children are seen eating golgappas one by one, with each student receiving around five to six pieces. The video quickly gained attention online and crossed more than one million views.
The video received mixed reactions from netizens.
Reacting to the video a user wrote, “He could have feed fruits without eating phuchka.”
“Which school is this at? I want to get admitted newly,” wrote an user amusingly.
“I'd go to school everyday if this fuchka was served during our time,” said another.
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“That's absolutely a creative solution! The kids must be loving this surprise treat!,” said another.
“I don't think LPG shortage is the real reason. In villages, people still cook using wooden chulha or mud chulha. Food can still be cooked. This looks more like a temporary choice, not a necessity,” opined another. The video surfaced at a time when users have increasingly highlighted problems due to LPG supply disruptions online.
Ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, United States and Israel, along with concerns around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil shipping route, have raised fears about possible disruptions to energy supplies worldwide.
Earlier on Saturday, two Indian-flagged tankers carrying liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and bound for ports on India's western coast crossed the Strait of Hormuz after delays linked to tensions between Iran and Israel.
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One of the vessels, Shivalik, carrying more than 45,000 metric tonnes of LPG, is expected to reach Mundra Port within the next few hours, according to a report by India Today's Brijesh from Kutch.
The ship had earlier been stuck in the Strait of Hormuz due to tensions linked to the Iran–Israel conflict. Following diplomatic efforts by the Indian government, permission was granted for two vessels to pass through the strategic waterway.
Meanwhile, the government said LPG refill bookings have declined to around 77 lakh from 88.8 lakh earlier, indicating some easing of panic buying. Authorities also said there is no shortage of petrol, diesel, or cooking gas and that supplies remain stable despite the Middle East conflict.
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