Date: 01/10/2022 Shift: 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM Q. No: 71

It was the day of the Annual Gathering at XYZ College. The contractor was worried as only three helpers reported for work. One of the boys who was feeling unwell and kept rushing to the washroom, was asked to do light work. Vegetables had to be cut for vegetable biriyani and raita, rice had to be parboiled, coriander and mint leaves cleaned and picked; and dessert had to be made and chilled. The cook decided to assemble the dessert and decorate it with fresh cream first. It would not fit into the cake –box, so had to be kept open in the middle shelf of the refrigerator.
Everyone had forgotten about the corporation waterworks repair schedule that day. There was barely enough water to wash the rice and vegetables. The water tanker arrived later in the evening. Compromising on the hygiene aspect, the food was ready just in time for dinner. A mouth-watering whiff of biriyani filled the air. The biriyani looked appetizing. The cook had sprinkled yellow and green colour on the rice grains. Only 275 people turned up for the event. Never mind, said the organizers, tomorrow being Sunday, we will enjoy the food at leisure. The refrigerator was full, there was no place to keep leftovers so biriyani was left in the degchi well covered, in the kitchen overnight. It was warmed up and served the next day. People enjoyed the tasty biriyani. The raita was looking bubbly and sour and had to be discarded. It is not surprising to read that 50 people suffered from food poisoning on Sunday night.