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.

Marriages are made in Heaven

I saw a young gentleman at a bookstore who picked up a book titled “Marriages are made in Heaven” and moved towards the counter but then the destiny had to play its part, the gentleman hit me. But to be honest, I hit him intentionally just to pick up a conversation with him and perhaps he also realized my malicious act.

I am sorry uncle, he said.

Oh it was actually my mistake, I should have been more careful; I replied and picked up the novel.

So, beta, are you getting married, I asked and returned the book to him

Next week uncle, he answered.

Do you really believe that marriages are made in heaven, I asked him very casually.

I think that it’s all destiny. I met Sneha at a function five years ago and since then we have been together. We love each other and finally we have decided to marry.  So, yes I do believe that marriages are made in heaven, the gentleman explained to me.

I laughed and asked if he was gifting the book to his to be wife and offered him to sit.

No, to my ex-wife. I am a divorcee, my first marriage was an arranged one, he said and sat down. But it took me a moment to realize what he said.

But you look quite young, I sat and enquired.

Yes, I got married when I was 22 and got divorced at 23, he replied very calmly.

But why did you got divorced, I was quite restless in asking this question.

She was impotent so I divorced her, he answered.

And it took me another moment to gulp down what did he just said.

I didn’t dare to ask him any other question and decided to end the conversation but it was too late for me to move out of the scene.

He instantly fired a question at me asking uncle, you look quite matured, what’s your say on this topic.

I am still unmarried, son, I replied and this came as a shock to him.

But why, he asked and this time he was more restless than me.

If i was married, I replied, it would not have been possible for me to write this national best-selling novel which you are holding.

The gentleman immediately opened the book to match my face with that in the book and then I started laughing. I was just joking. I was laughing at him and he had no option but to laugh at his foolishness.

The truth is, I continued but this time more seriously, that I also loved someone but she married some another person. That lady, my son, is your mother.

He looked at me dumbstruckly, smiled hesitantly, and said you are again joking, right.

No, I said with a straight face and he went pale.

The gentleman dropped the book and just ran out of the bookstore.

And I had the last laugh….