Rahul Gandhi, who will be Congress president next week, resumed his Gujarat campaign with a common complaint. He has been gaining weight because of Gujarati hospitality. For the better part of the past month, Rahul Gandhi has been touring the state and addressing rallies and gorging on delicious Gujarati delicacies.
He was back in Gujarat’s Anjar after a three-day break to file his nomination papers. This is where he realised he has let himself loose. “Kal meri behen mere ghar aayi, unhone kaha tumhare kitchen mein to sab Gujarati hai, khakra Gujarati, achaar Gujarati, moongphali Gujarati. Toh aap logon ne meri aadatien bigad di, mera weight badh raha hai,” Rahul Gandhi told his supporters at the rally in Anjar, Kutch district.
Literally that is: “My sister dropped in yesterday. She said your kitchen has all Gujarati stuff. Gujarati Khakra, Gujarati pickles, Gujarati peanuts. You guys have spoiled me. I am gaining weight.”
Then, he complained about Prime Minister Narendra Modi complaining about Congress. “I listened to Modi ji’s speech yesterday, 60 per cent of his speech was on Congress and me. This election is not about Congress or BJP but about the future of Gujarat and its people,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Anjar will vote on December 9 in the first phase. We all will have to wait till December 18 to know which side the Gujarati camel sits. But, we can’t just let Rahul Gandhi bloat because Gujarati food can be fattening if you aren’t being smart at the dining table. As Dr Meena Shah, an Amdavadi Gujarati, once told us Gujarati fast-food culture has led to an epidemic of obesity in the state.
As it is, Gujaratis do not like exercising much as they make a lot of money without bruising their muscles. The sugary delicacies really compound the problem.
She shared a statistic: Gujaratis are known the world over for having the highest number of heart attacks at a young age.
But good doctors are always a help. If one goes by Dr Meena Shah’s advice, Rahul Gandhi should enjoy his time in Gujarat by modifying the daily intake.
If you are offered a variety of sweets, Gujjus always have a platter of stuff, opt for kheer, sandesh or fruit salad rather than having high-calorie ones like laddoos, halwa or jalebis.
Drop the table spoon and eat with a teaspoon.
Do not eat whatever people offer out of love to return that love. Eat what you want. They know you love them.
Gujaratis will always deify some chaat shop or call some fried snacks stuff divine. Don’t listen to them. Ask them for chatpata mamra, fruits, roasted chana or soya beans.
Modiji sold tea at a railway station. Do not try to disprove that. But don’t have the tea Gujaratis tend to make. It will be sweet and milky. Tell them to make patti thoki ne, cheeni roki ne. More leaves, less sugar and just a few drops of milk.
You cannot avoid puris and ganthias and still expect them to vote for you. Tell them ganthias are great but you have fallen in love with masala khakhras and chabanuun.
You got pickles. You have done a good thing. Now replace them with fresh chutneys.
Gujaratis love soda. Dry state, you know? They have various spinoffs of soda. Do not touch an aerated drink. Drink plain water or lime juice or buttermilk.
intoday.in
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