Our Real Heritage

Politics, Cricket and Movies are the three most talked about topics in India. It would not be wrong to say that these three things are integral part of our life. Politics is into our nerves. We live with it and the whole country is dependent on it. Cricket is our religion. If there is any sport in India which is followed by all the people irrespective of their age, it has to be cricket. We follow no other game but cricket. And lastly, we all are movie buff.  If we don’t watch a movie every weekend, the whole week seems so incomplete. Movies are the all-time favorite gossip topic for us because we don’t know any other subject better (how ignorant we are). To sum up the three topics, I shall say few intellectuals (and largely the common man) talk about politics, crazy fans about cricket and ignorant people about movies and Bollywood. It is really a high time since the intellectuals instead of just talking really changed our political system, the crazy fans followed some other sports (change the game) and the ignorant do some worthwhile than just gossiping about the movies.

But let’s not talk about these things (there are many idiots to discuss these topics). I intend to talk about the fourth thing which we all Indians live for and it has to be food. I don’t know whether it’s one of the most talked about topics in India or not but I am sure that we Indians are truly and madly are in love with our food.  Some people live to eat and some people eat to live but let’s not go to the philosophical mode. Historically also, India was famous for its food and spices. So famous that it eventually became the reason for our slavery.

Every State and every region has its own delicacy. Be it Rajasthani, Gujarati, Marathi, South Indian (apologies for being so general), Bengali or any other State for that matter, each one has its unique taste and identity. Also, not to forget the contribution of Mughals in developing the rich heritage of the Indian Cuisine. No doubt that tandoori chicken is among the top favorite food in Britain. From starters to deserts, Indian cuisine is full of mouthwatering dishes. But it will be really unfair if I don’t mention about the Chaat food or the Street food of India. There is so much of zayka in the street food of India that one can die for it. 

There is so much to write about the Indian Cuisine that a whole blog can be dedicated to it. We have such a rich and unique heritage in form our cuisine that it is a part of our cultural heritage. Our food and eating habits represents India really in an incredible form. So let’s not distort our food heritage but promote it. I am not against the western food (pizza, pasta etc.); in fact I love it but let’s not give pizza a preference over a dosa. Why only Ranjnikant can order an idli from McDonalds, let’s make this joke a reality. Let’s make our food a part of sustainable development.

The Big Diet

Kunal, like any other kid, was born to a middle class family in a small town of Madhya Pradesh. But his habits were a bit different from other kids. Many young kids put non-food substances in their mouth at one time or another. They are naturally curious about their environment and eat some dirt or any other non-eatable items. But with Kunal, this curiosity was more persistent. 

Initially Kunal’s parents didn’t mind his unusual eating habits but they soon realized that there was something really abnormal with their child. Eating non-food items became his habit. Eating dust was common. He used to eat the toothpaste instead of using it for brushing his teeth’s. First time he held pencil and paper in his hands, he didn’t write but started eating them. Glue was a delicacy for him. Clay, soap, hair, plaster, paint, color, chalk, match-stick, he ate them all. There was hardly any non-food item left which he didn’t put in his mouth. He even ate his own fecal matter. 

Kunal’s parents consulted a local doctor but owing to his limitations he couldn’t understand Kunal’s problem. It was only after Kunal got admitted to a hospital due to food poisoning, he was diagnosed with Pica (pronounced as paika). Pica is an eating disorder, in which people develops an insatiable urge to eat non-food substances, more common in young kids. Interestingly, the word pica is derived from a Latin word for magpie, a bird known for its large and indiscriminate appetite. Till date, the experts have found no specific cause and cure for this disorder. 

There were no specific medicines to cure Kunal. He needed a psychiatrist’s treatment. But curing a child through psychiatrist’s help was not that easy. Regular sessions, all time parental guidance, and some new and unique methods were employed to cure him. Nutritive food camouflaged in non-food items was being given to him. Slowly Kunal’s eating habits started to become normal and finally after 2 years Kunal was totally like any other young kid.