DIM-O-CRAZY

Eggs, popularly known as “DIM” in Bengali are the in-thing in West Bengal these days… be it to abuse “corrupt” TMC netas or whether the same should be taken off the menu of the midday meal of school students!

These days, eggs or dims have the maximum hits when you discuss West Bengal politics or the government’s decision regarding the protein potion for children.

In this article, I would take on eggs or dims on both the front to trace its relevance and efficacy.

To start with, long before West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari decided to set up a pilot project regarding the midday meal of school children with the ISKCON, for the aam aadmi… eggs were making headlines when the same was being hurled to abuse the “corrupt” TMC leaders.

It may be noted that “egg therapy” traces its roots back to European and British political histories and remains a common tool for expressing public outrage in several parts of the world, including our country.

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

• Criminal Force (Section 129 BNS): Intentionally throwing any object to cause injury, fear, or annoyance constitutes criminal force. Punishment under Section 131 BNS carries up to 3 months of imprisonment, a fi ne up to Rs 1,000, or both.
• Assault with Intent to Dishonour (Section 133 BNS): Even as egg-pelting is inherently designed to publicly humiliate the target, perpetrators can be charged with using force to intentionally dishonour a person. This is a much graver offense, punishable by up to 2 years in prison, a fi ne, or both.
• Deterring a Public Servant (Section 132 BNS): If the target is a public offi cial or police offi cer performing their duties, the act carries a severe penalty intended to protect state mechanisms from obstruction.

PLEASE NOTE

When eggs are targeted at houses, buildings, or vehicles, the chemical composition of the yolk and shell can permanently damage paint or surfaces, legally transitioning the act into vandalism.

• Mischief (Section 324 BNS): Causing damage that diminishes the value or utility of property constitutes mischief.
• Penalties: Standard mischief carries an imprisonment term of up to 6 months or a fi ne. However, if the damage caused to private or government property scales higher fi nancially, the imprisonment can extend up to 2 or 5 years depending on the cost of the property destruction.

THE PSYCHOLOGY

Hurling of eggs is seen as a non-lethal, dramatic and highly visible method of political dissent and public protest. Also, hurling of eggs is considered inexpensive, widely accessible and messy when in contact. Now, let’s delve into the topic of replacing eggs with soy chunks.

As far as protein is concerned, one must consider the fact that protein quality is determined by two factors: whether a food contains all essential amino acids required by the body and how efficiently the body can digest and utilise the same.

Soy chunks, unlike most plant-based foods, is a complete protein and contains all essential amino acids. Yet its digestibility is somewhat lower than that of eggs and dairy proteins because of naturally occurring plant compounds that can affect nutrient absorption.

Also, it must be noted that soy chunks and eggs are both excellent protein sources, but they cater to very different dietary requirements.

Eggs offer complete protein and healthy fats, while soy chunks provide cheap, high-protein, fatfree nutrition.

The debate over replacing soy with eggs is less about nutrition and more about political and ideological priorities.

In West Bengal, children currently receive one egg per week as part of the meal programme in government schools, making eggs one of the most visible and affordable sources of high-quality protein in the scheme.

Meanwhile, ISKCON is already involved in midday meal programmes across multiple cities and states, catering to nearly 12 lakh students across the country.

KEY DIFFERENCES

Protein Quality: Eggs are an “animal protein” containing a complete, wellbalanced profile of all essential amino acids with an excellent absorption rate. Soy chunks are a “plantbased protein” that has all essential amino acids but can be slightly lower in absorption and occasionally lacking in certain amino acids like methionine (which is easily fixed by eating them with rice or whole grains).

Calories and fat: Eggs contain healthy fats (including Omega-3s in some varieties) which are great for hormone regulation, but the same makes eggs more calorie-dense. On the other hand, soy chunks are extremely low in fat, making them ideal for ultralow-fat diets.

Micronutrients: Eggs are rich in Vitamin D, B12, selenium, lutein and zeaxanthin (which support eye and brain health). Soy chunks are incredibly rich in plant-based iron, calcium, and dietary fiber.

POINT TO NOTE

Unlike most vegetarian protein sources, soybeans contain all nine essential amino acids, making them a “complete protein.” This puts them in the same league as eggs, dairy and meat from a protein-composition perspective.

• They provide around 52 g of protein per 100 g of dry weight.
• A 100 g serving contains about 13 g of dietary fi ber
• They are virtually fat-free and have a low glycemic index
• Ideal for weight management and heart health

ON WHY EGGS BECAME A STAPLE IN SCHOOL MEALS

Over the years, several Indian states introduced eggs into midday meal schemes because they are inexpensive, widely accepted and nutrient-dense. A single egg delivers high-quality protein along with vitamin B12, vitamin D, choline and healthy fats — nutrients that are often lacking in the diets of children from economically weaker households.

Also, protein in eggs is easily absorbed by the body. This makes them one of the most efficient sources of nutrition available at a relatively low cost.

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Robin Roy, The writer is Senior Journalist and former Managing Editor, First India