pepsiCentre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi based NGO released it second report on the use of contaminated water by cola giants, Coke and Pepsi in India. In the last study by CSE even drinking water had the same contaminants.

If this is true, then we have successfully endangered at least one generation of the Indian population! In any case, the study does indicate the carelessness with which these organisations take us and our health for granted.

The consequences of intake of such harmful substances will be visible 10-15 years down the line. By then Pepsi and Coke would have summed up thousands of crores. The so-called responsible persons in society, the stars, didn’t think twice before endorsing such drinks despite the universal hazards.

I am sad that celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan still promote such unhealthy substances. If they have any conscience, they should be the first ones to protest against this.

However, I do wonder why is ‘drinking’ water is never tested in India, as it is within the span of control (and responsibility) of our bureaucrats and politicians? We drink so much more of it than soft drinks, which are mostly out of reach for the average Indian? Why are Indian brands of ‘mineral’ water never tested? And what about milk and BEER???? Doesn’t it smell more of cheap xenophobia than pesticides?

The Euro Standard on quality of soft drinks should be made applicable in India. Why should any one have an objection to it? It should be made applicable immediately on all new products and the existing should be given a short time limit.

Pesticides in anything – colas, drinking water or food – needs to be tackled. After all, the stakes are really very high.