Ban pan houses and Kirana stores near schools
The Issue
I am a child growing up in a bustling neighborhood in Ahmedabad, schools are sanctuaries of learning and growth, a place where children could dream of becoming engineers, doctors, or artists. Today, this dream is threatened by the rise of pan houses and Kirana stores operating within a 1km radius of these places of learning.
These establishments lure children in with unhealthy snacks, cigarettes, and addictive chewable substances, starting a cycle of addiction and distraction. A 2019 study by the Ministry of Health found that 19% of minors in India had tried tobacco at least once, with a significant number of these encounters happening near schools.
Moreover, the constant hustle and bustle of people rushing to buy daily goods disrupts the calm that schools should offer, leading to a detrimental impact on students’ concentration and academic performance.
Schools are meant to be safe havens for our children, not battlegrounds of bad habits. India has seen a significant rise in child obesity and related health issues, a pattern that aligns disturbingly with the proliferation of junk food sales around school areas.
We can no longer stand by as the next generation’s health and futures are challenged by the very environment that is supposed to nurture them. We need to take immediate action to protect our children and ourselves from these negative influences that pan houses and Kirana stores undeniably propagate.
Legislation needs to be enacted at the National Level in India, supported by local municipalities and state government, to enforce strict zoning laws that prevent such establishments from setting up shop within a 1km radius of schools. This will ensure educational environments remain focused on learning, uninfluenced by the temptations of consumerism and unhealthy habits.
Join me in urging the local government to prioritize the welfare of students and prohibit these businesses from operating near schools. Let’s create safer and healthier zones for children to learn and thrive, fostering a future where they can concentrate on their education free from these external distractions.
Sign this petition to demand action for the future of our children and the integrity of their learning environments.
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The Issue
I am a child growing up in a bustling neighborhood in Ahmedabad, schools are sanctuaries of learning and growth, a place where children could dream of becoming engineers, doctors, or artists. Today, this dream is threatened by the rise of pan houses and Kirana stores operating within a 1km radius of these places of learning.
These establishments lure children in with unhealthy snacks, cigarettes, and addictive chewable substances, starting a cycle of addiction and distraction. A 2019 study by the Ministry of Health found that 19% of minors in India had tried tobacco at least once, with a significant number of these encounters happening near schools.
Moreover, the constant hustle and bustle of people rushing to buy daily goods disrupts the calm that schools should offer, leading to a detrimental impact on students’ concentration and academic performance.
Schools are meant to be safe havens for our children, not battlegrounds of bad habits. India has seen a significant rise in child obesity and related health issues, a pattern that aligns disturbingly with the proliferation of junk food sales around school areas.
We can no longer stand by as the next generation’s health and futures are challenged by the very environment that is supposed to nurture them. We need to take immediate action to protect our children and ourselves from these negative influences that pan houses and Kirana stores undeniably propagate.
Legislation needs to be enacted at the National Level in India, supported by local municipalities and state government, to enforce strict zoning laws that prevent such establishments from setting up shop within a 1km radius of schools. This will ensure educational environments remain focused on learning, uninfluenced by the temptations of consumerism and unhealthy habits.
Join me in urging the local government to prioritize the welfare of students and prohibit these businesses from operating near schools. Let’s create safer and healthier zones for children to learn and thrive, fostering a future where they can concentrate on their education free from these external distractions.
Sign this petition to demand action for the future of our children and the integrity of their learning environments.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on 24 September 2026