Spoons are GST special for Indians

No matter how much the globalised Indian takes to other implements, the supreme indispensability of the spoon in the nation's life will remain unchallenged. Bahujan leader Kanshi Ram even dedicated an era to this piece of cutlery, maintaining that the entire system of the country hinged on its anthropomorphic presence. But even if politics is not everyone's cup of tea — stirred, of course, by the same implement — there is no denying that the spoon takes precedence everywhere, whether as a chammach or its human avatar, the chamcha.

Every meal comes with a spoon these days, just like every office of consequence has its complement of chamchas. It is no surprise then that at its recent review meeting, the Goods and Services Tax ( GST) Council has also acknowledged the spoon's special status and reduced the rate from 18% to 12%. Forks are included in this downward revision, perhaps as part of a multi-pronged approach that also encompasses utensils.

Time was when most Indians had no use for chamchas; fingers did the needful. Only when people decided it was better not to get their hands dirty that proxies became crucial. However, as the prime minister has vowed "Na khaunga, na khaney doonga" (won't eat, or let others eat"), the utility of the spoon may well diminish, so the GST revision may provide only a temporary reprieve.