The egg drop

First brickbats, then bouquets. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan was criticised by rivals and party colleagues for his decision to keep mid-day meals egg-free. Now, animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has decided to bestow him with a special award for his "healthy" decision. A strict vegetarian, Chouhan recently shot down a proposal to re-introduce eggs in anganwadi meals. "Thanks to Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, anganwadi meals will continue to be served in the state without cruel and cholesterol-laden eggs - a compassionate and healthy choice that has earned the CM a 'Pragatisheel Award' from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India," the NGO said in a prepared statement.