Battle Against Salt Must Begin With School Meals

Salt in Indian diets holds a special place, not just in our kitchens, but also in our history, language and even politics.

- Urvashi Prasad

Salt in Indian diets holds a special place, not just in our kitchens, but also in our history, language and even politics. It was salt, after all, that Mahatma Gandhi chose as a symbol of resistance against British colonial rule. Even today, the phrase "namak ka farz" (the duty of salt) speaks to a deep cultural association between salt and loyalty, sacrifice, and trust. But while salt is rich in symbolism and tradition, it's also quietly contributing to a serious health crisis in India today.

Excess salt consumption is a major contributor to high blood pressure, which significantly increases the risk of hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). NCDs have contributed to more than 60% of all deaths in India over the past decade, with CVDs constituting a quarter of these diseases. Hypertension is a leading cause of the problem, given that approximately one in four Indian adults suffers from the condition.