Of pizzas, pastas and more

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Some odd perceptions
Rich women do not smile at strangers or in a crowd.
Rich old men do smile.
These days even children have 'attitude' of money.
Money talks in all strata of society. Read a book by Rabindranath Tagore of stories for children. It had a subtle story of a man looking for treasure and how in the end he just wants to see the open skies instead of the treasure.Today all want money and want it easily.
Children have so many gadgets yet not connected to people. Parents prefer a mall movie outing vis a vis visiting someone's home. Each one shirks work so its easier to eat out rather than trouble the friend/relative. Children not getting exposed to other people's home cooked food. When Moms say their child likes all cuisines, what they mean is that the child loves Mcdonald's burgers, Domino's Pizzas and Chinese chicken drumsticks or hakka noodles. This covers the world cuisine the child is exposed to. I have friends' children who do not know to eat poha, upma or pakodi. These are Indian snacks. Give the children french fries and they will be happy. Most moms are keeping the ready to fry chips and smileys at home. Its no more freshly cut and washed potatoes. We, as a nation, are really going down on our food habits. I am tempted to use a bad word here. No one wants home made snacks as mothers find it easier to give money rather than tell their cooks to prepare a snack. Not just urban Moms, even in city slums, smaller town, kids want to eat what an American company dishes out. We will loose out on what is Indian cuisine in aping the West. We are taking on the unhealthy food habits and diet from the West. Ours is a warm nation and we cant digest these foods. Our weather needs fresh food, raw food or freshly cooked food.My children do not eat Indian sweets because I do not make them and I don't know how to make them. Given a chance, they would prefer junk food any day.
The restaurants now offer only pasta and sandwiches and we are so kicked to eat in a joint like that. The pasta has two standard sauces and those are used for the pizzas and any other item you order. The salads, you may order as a healthy option,are full of dressings and some fried stuff. The people who love those desserts with imported ingredients will surely turn their nose at a Malpua or a Churma laddu. My raving and ranting about food does not mean I eat only salads. I feel the struggle. I feel for our cuisine. Food which our Mothers, Grandmothers and Aunts used to prepare. Can we hold on to atleast that easiest bit of our heritage?


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