Imagine waking up to clumps of hair on your pillow. Now, imagine this happening to hundreds of people overnight—across 15 villages. This bizarre and terrifying reality struck Buldhana, Maharashtra, affecting over 300 villagers between the ages of 4 and 70.
But it wasn’t just hair loss. Villagers developed skin rashes, brittle nails, and extreme weakness. Panic gripped the community—schools were closed, weddings were postponed, and people lived in constant fear.
Many suspected that contaminated drinking water was the culprit. However, when tests came back negative for poisoning, the mystery only deepened. What was causing this strange outbreak?
The Padma Shri Doctor Who Solved the Case
Dr. Himmatrao Bawaskar, a Padma Shri awardee renowned for his work in scorpion bite treatment, wasn’t convinced by the water contamination theory. Determined to uncover the truth, he launched a month-long investigation—spending Rs 92,000 from his own pocket to conduct extensive lab tests.
His team collected hair, blood, urine, and food samples, meticulously analyzing villagers’ diets and symptoms. The culprit? Selenium—found at a staggering 600 times the safe limit!
The source of contamination? Something as common as wheat flour (atta), a staple in every household. The villagers had unknowingly been consuming toxic levels of selenium through their daily meals. This wheat had been sourced from Punjab through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
While selenium is beneficial in small amounts, excessive intake can wreak havoc on the body—leading to severe hair loss, brittle nails, painful skin rashes, and even nerve damage.
Authorities Act, But Bigger Questions Remain
Dr. Bawaskar’s findings compelled authorities to act immediately. The contaminated wheat was pulled from distribution, an inquiry was launched, and food stocks across the country were checked.
For affected families, simply stopping wheat consumption brought relief—many saw hair regrowth within weeks. However, this crisis exposed a major loophole in India’s food safety system.
- If one batch of wheat could cause such devastation, how many more go untested?
- Shouldn’t ration meant for millions be rigorously checked before distribution?
One startup, O Yatra, has developed an AI-powered device that monitors the quality of midday meals in government schools. Could similar technology be used for ration supplies too?
A Call for Stricter Food Safety Regulations
This incident is a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter food safety regulations and technological interventions to prevent such crises in the future. If one doctor’s determination could uncover the truth and protect hundreds, imagine what stronger policies and better technology could do for millions.
Ensuring safe food isn’t just a necessity—it’s a fundamental right. The Buldhana incident serves as a warning and an opportunity to rethink and reform food safety measures across the country.