Cockroach infestation at Hyderabad tiffin centre raises food safety concerns
Hyderabad, November 22 — A customer dining at a tiffin centre near Nexus Mall, KPHB, Hyderabad, was shocked to discover cockroaches in the breakfast served. The incident occurred at Madhuram Tiffins on Friday morning and quickly gained attention after the customer shared their experience on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The post included images and a video showing unsanitary conditions in the kitchen, with a plea to food safety authorities to take immediate action.
"During our breakfast at Madhuram Tiffins, we found cockroaches in the chutneys served," the customer wrote, tagging relevant food safety officials. The visuals highlighted unsanitary practices, sparking a wave of concern over food safety standards at the well-known establishment.
In response, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) assured that their food safety team had been notified and promised swift action to address the issue.
The incident triggered a mixed response from the public. One social media user expressed frustration over the lack of cleanliness, stating, “These hotel owners and workers don’t even think about hygiene anymore. They even treat customers rudely.” Another called for stricter measures, suggesting that establishments with poor hygiene should face immediate closure and have their licenses revoked. Meanwhile, a third user warned against dining out, remarking, “Food these days is more about taste than health.”
This incident comes in the wake of recent food safety inspections conducted by the Telangana Food Safety Department. Earlier, the department carried out surprise raids at several prominent tiffin centres in Hyderabad.
During an inspection at Padmavathi Tiffins in Ashoknagar, officials found a live cockroach in the storeroom, raw food items stored directly on the floor, and evidence of rat burrows. Staff members were also seen handling food without hair caps or aprons.
At Sri Sidhi Vinayaka Udupi Tiffins, also in Ashoknagar, inspectors noted the absence of insect-proof screens and an unhygienic kitchen environment. Similar concerns were raised at Balaji Darshan Tiffins, where stagnant water in drains and uncovered garbage bins were observed.
Violations extended beyond eateries to local hostels. My Home Luxury Girls Hostel in Ashoknagar was cited for inadequate insect-proofing and cockroach infestations in the kitchen.
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Mass funeral of four brothers leaves UAE community in mourning after fatal road accident
Report: Thufail Muhammad Abudhabi
Dubai: The funeral of four young brothers who died in a tragic road accident near Abu Dhabi drew hundreds of mourners to the Al Qusais cemetery on Tuesday evening, leaving the UAE’s expatriate community in deep shock and grief.
The children Ashaj (14), Ammar (12), Azaam (8) and Ayyash (5) were the sons of Abdul Latheef and Ruksana, natives of Kerala’s Malappuram district. The family was returning to their Dubai residence after attending the Liwa Festival on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi when their car met with a fatal accident early Sunday morning.
Three of the children died on the spot, while Azaam succumbed to his injuries on Monday evening during treatment. The family’s domestic helper, Bushra Fayaz (49), also lost her life in the crash. Her body was repatriated to India on Monday night, and funeral rites were held in Kerala on Tuesday.
Abdul Latheef, who sustained injuries in the accident, arrived at the cemetery from Abu Dhabi in a wheelchair, his hand in a sling, to attend the burial of his sons. Mourners described the scene as one of the most heartbreaking they had ever witnessed.
“I have never seen the mass burial of children from the same family. It was devastating for everyone present,” said a social worker who assisted the family.
The couple’s only daughter, Izza (10), survived the accident with minor injuries and is undergoing treatment. Unaware of the loss of her brothers, she was seen playing on a mobile phone from her hospital bed.
Relatives said informing the parents about the tragedy was handled with extreme care. Abdul Latheef was told late on Sunday night, while Ruksana who had undergone surgery for an injury to her hand was informed only on Tuesday after counsellors were brought in to break the news professionally.
Before the burial, the parents were allowed to see their children one last time. Ruksana was taken by ambulance to the mortuary, while Abdul Latheef obtained special permission for temporary discharge from hospital to attend the funeral. Ruksana remained hospitalised with her daughter.
Though the family holds Ras Al Khaimah visas, special permission was obtained to conduct the burial in Dubai, where the family resides and where most relatives are based. Community members expressed gratitude to the Dubai authorities for facilitating the process.
Abdul Latheef runs a business in Ras Al Khaimah, while Ruksana works as a property consultant in Dubai. All five children were students of Arab Unity School in Dubai, following the British curriculum. The school management issued a circular to parents outlining measures to support students and families affected by the tragedy and advising on how to discuss the loss sensitively with children.
The cause of the accident has not yet been officially confirmed by Abu Dhabi Police. Public discussions have pointed to possible factors such as dense winter fog and overspeeding, though authorities are yet to release findings.
