The day we stop putting our noses into other people’s dietary choices is the day we’re all saved, I tell you. India has a population of more than 135 crores, and it is just plain arrogant to insist that every single person follow one specific diet. We are a melting pot of cultures, religions, languages, traditions, cuisines and countless other nuances. And that is exactly what makes India so mystical and exotic to the ones who come here seeking to experience that magic.
Which is why I cannot wrap my head around why our Ministry of Health would put out such a misleading tweet about “good nutrition”.
Did you notice their not-so-subtle secret message in the image? Basically, a ‘healthy life’ includes a diet which does not involve any meat, eggs or fast foods. Only fruits and veggies. Oh, and it also guarantees you a leaner frame, because of course, if you are a size L or above, you’re unhealthy. Duh!
Now, this begs the question, if our own health ministry claims that eggs are unhealthy, then why do we have an entire commission striving to bring eggs into the Indian diet?
Toh ab se, Sunday ho ya Monday, mat khana ande? Wah!
Also, the image with their ‘healthy’ tweet, is apparently a stock image. The Ministry later deleted the tweet, but the damage had already been done.
Twitter had a lot to say about this new ‘vegetarian’ way of life:
1. The lady has receipts!
So @MoHFW_INDIA u wisely chose to show female body to picturise unhealthy life by increasing the hip size? 😂😂😂 Why didn't u use ur own minister for this stupid ad? Kitna fit dikhta hai 🙄. Or ur beloved vegetarian inspiration.. Ye banda to onion garlic bhi nahi khata.. 😛😛😛 pic.twitter.com/Dd24HEwCwM
— Divya (@divya_amanna) April 23, 2018
2. Being original. Heard of it?
So, Ministry of Health @MoHFW_INDIA picks up a stock photo which portray eggs, poultry, meat and bread as unhealthy and tweets that as health advice.
Link to the stock photo website: https://t.co/cTUlaoTPuC
And they've quietly deleted their tweet now. pic.twitter.com/f7GhiLhgln
— Pratik Sinha (@free_thinker) April 23, 2018
3. Slow claps indeed.
According to Ministry of Health @MoHFW_INDIA, Non Veg (Balanced diet-iron rich) was healthy until 2014. Not anymore. Slow Claps 👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/3zq1Awont2
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 23, 2018
4. Ministry of HEALTH!
.@MoHFW_INDIA Here is the fat shaming pic which has been deleted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. pic.twitter.com/CI0VXvMfwd
— Aparna (@FuschiaScribe) April 23, 2018
5. My head hurts.
Ofcourse bread and butter are unhealthy. You tell me Where does butter come from? Milk. Where milk comes from? Cow. What does cow eat? Plants. What does plants have? Leaf. What does leaf rhyme with? Beef. And we all know how unhealthy beef is.
— Mr Peanutbutter (@illogicalhooman) April 23, 2018
6. Yes, please.
https://twitter.com/pi_alize/status/988380354066051072
7. People know guys, your gigs up!
Systematically creating health associations with vegetarianism. Depicting egg, meat and poultry as unhealthy, pairing with fast food choices such as soda. Focus should be on a balanced diet. Where is the evidence on this? We know what narrative you are weaving here @MoHFW_INDIA https://t.co/v0IShu3cNp
— Dr Sumaiya Shaikh (@Neurophysik) April 23, 2018
8. Same product, new packaging.
There is a lot going on in this new Ministry of Health campaign. New format, familiar narratives. pic.twitter.com/b8BuMcVfB5
— Edward Anderson (@edanderson101) April 23, 2018
9. The nation wants to know!
Is Egg unhealthy? If so, Dhara Singh, Dharmendra, Sachin, Saina etc should all apologise to 1.3 Billion Indians for promoting this fake news created by NECC. pic.twitter.com/iNq6E3TsFV
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) April 23, 2018
10. Good luck with that.
India is 70% Non-Vegetarian. Good luck trying to tell us to stick to vegetables.
— FP (@felandath) April 23, 2018
I just can’t. I’m going to need a shawarma to get over this one. Yup, that’s healthy, don’t you @ me!