The onion prices started soaring during Navratri when most of North India abstains from onions and garlic.
Mulla Do-Piyaza, Birbal’s great rival and advisor of Emperor Akbar (he accidentally created the legendary Do-pyaza when he added onions in his lamb) may have found it hard to hold back his tears if he had heard what Bangladesh PM said to her cook.
Ironically, this happened during Navratri when most of North India abstains from onions and garlic.
Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked her kitchen staff to stop using onion in food after India's export ban on the vegetable.
Dopyaza, the Mughlai lamb/mutton curry uses onions twice. First the onion is cooked in spices and curry and second, golden-brown fried onion is used as a garnish.
Sheikh Hasina’s cook of course could have looked up the recipe of Niramish Mangsho’ or vegetarian meat of Bengal where Puja meat is çooked without onion and garlic.
Around Navratri, restaurants serve colourful vegetarian thalis in both Jain and Vaishnav traditions.
ADVERTISEMENT
For me, muri (puffed rice), green chillies in raw mustard oil and onion fritters in the afternoon is equal to a cigarette puff in winter accompanied by sips of Italian red wine.
From Central Asia, the vegetable spread its roots across the world and entered India about 5,000 years ago.
Pompei, destroyed by the volcano Vesuvius, recorded the use of onions too. Dannazione! The onion is overcooked. The onion tales from around the world. Even the Bible referred to it in several places.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Charaka Sanhita also mentions the use of onion to help against digestive and and heart problems.
However, the woes of Bangladesh PM had to do with India cutting off onion exports suddenly not giving time to make alternative arrangements. Sheikh Hasina, in a lighter vein asked for advance notice, next time.
ADVERTISEMENT
Onions have also made Indian politicians cry. A household staple, any change in prices affects a large block of voters--citizens and farmers. India faced crises in 1998, 2010, 2013, 2015, 2018 and even this year when Maharashtra, a major producer, goes to the polls!
In India, onions are used for gravies, taste enhancers, as pickle, powder or spice. In Maharashtra and Rajasthan people make a special curry out of it. This month, the retail price of onion has touched Rs 80 per kg. Kande Ki Sabji: in Rajasthan, onion is cooked with yogurt, ginger and garlic and made into a flavoursome side dish.
This month, the retail price of onion touched Rs 80. The government hurriedly intervened and banned the export of the onion. And imported some. This brought down the price a little.
But sure enough, the export ban and new import did not please the farmers, as the election approaches
But to come back to the title at the end, what would Mulla Do-Piyaza do in this situation?
May be he’d try to find a solution where farmers would not have to be dependent on rain?
A study by the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research on Cancer shows that 11,57,294 lakh new cases are registered in India every year, and 7,84,821 people succumbed to the disease in 2018.
Here are certain lifestyle changes that can keep cancer away.
A study by the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research on Cancer shows that 11,57,294 lakh new cases are registered in India every year, and 7,84,821 people succumbed to the disease in 2..
Read More
Being overweight and obese raise risk for breast, colorectal, oesophageal, uterine, pancreatic and kidney cancers.
It is important to manage your weight. Be as lean as possible without becoming underweight.
It is essential to be physically active. Workout for at least 30 minutes every day to stay fit.
Being overweight and obese raise risk for breast, colorectal, oesophageal, uterine, pancreatic and kidney cancers.
It is important to manage your weight. Be as lean as possible without becoming unde..
Read More
Avoid sugary drinks as much as possible. Limit consumption of high-calorie and salty foods. Also stay away from food items processed with salt.
Avoid sugary drinks as much as possible. Limit consumption of high-calorie and salty foods. Also stay away from food items processed with salt.
Smoking remains the largest preventable cause of throat and lung cancers in the world. Avoid smoking and second-hand smoking.
Smoking remains the largest preventable cause of throat and lung cancers in the world. Avoid smoking and second-hand smoking.
Alcohol consumption plays an important role in getting various cancer types. Risk of breast cancer is also increased by alcohol — the more you drink, the more likely you get the disease. It is also strongly linked to mouth and upper throat cancers. If you drink alcohol, limit your daily intake.
Alcohol consumption plays an important role in getting various cancer types. Risk of breast cancer is also increased by alcohol — the more you drink, the more likely you get the disease. It is also s..
Read More
Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes.
Don’t use supplements unless prescribed
Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes.
Don’t use supplements unless prescribed
Diet high in red and processed meats contribute to bowel cancers. Limit consumption of red meat and avoid processed meats.
Diet high in red and processed meats contribute to bowel cancers. Limit consumption of red meat and avoid processed meats.
It’s necessary for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies up to six months.
It’s necessary for mothers to exclusively breastfeed their babies up to six months.
After treatment, cancer survivors should follow professional recommendation to prevent secondary cancer.
After treatment, cancer survivors should follow professional recommendation to prevent secondary cancer.
