Pallavi Bhardwaj
A very basic definition of food is, " any substance that can be metabolized by an animal to give energy and build tissues". But, I think food has its reach beyond this.
First, if food is considered at an individual level then it
can be used a parameter to define an individual. One eats what, where,
when, why, how and how much can surely give us an insight of a person's
living pattern.
India is a diverse country, and our food proves this fact. Food, both unites us as well as diversifies us. Each culture, tradition, custom of ours has a certain food associated to it. Also, there are certain social stigmas attached to food. For instance, rice belongs to Biharis and South Indians, a person eating with hands is a bumpkin and so on. I personally mark it a gesture of friendship if somebody shares his or her food with me.
Food is a good tool of defense mechanism. Pepper spray may not be the perfect example but all those hilarious food fights in movies can surely be. Even soldiers on the border share their food across LOC which is a better defense mechanism than a bullet fired from a gun.
Food can sometimes be gender biased also. Like, salad is to be eaten only by a girl on diet, 'puchkas, paani poori, gol-gappa'. are associated with females only.
Food can also be politically correct or incorrect. For example, non-veg can be eaten each day except on Tuesdays. Also, food is categorized in different categories like chocolates are to be eaten in depression and low BP, daliya and khichdi are meant for sick people, all healthy people can eat oily food to later fall ill.
All in all food runs in our veins, it can make us both fat and thin, it can be terrific as well as terrible at the same time, it can used to please or tease. There is always food involved in our happiness and mournfulness.
So, let us all eat after its food for thought and thought for food.
India is a diverse country, and our food proves this fact. Food, both unites us as well as diversifies us. Each culture, tradition, custom of ours has a certain food associated to it. Also, there are certain social stigmas attached to food. For instance, rice belongs to Biharis and South Indians, a person eating with hands is a bumpkin and so on. I personally mark it a gesture of friendship if somebody shares his or her food with me.
Food is a good tool of defense mechanism. Pepper spray may not be the perfect example but all those hilarious food fights in movies can surely be. Even soldiers on the border share their food across LOC which is a better defense mechanism than a bullet fired from a gun.
Food can sometimes be gender biased also. Like, salad is to be eaten only by a girl on diet, 'puchkas, paani poori, gol-gappa'. are associated with females only.
Food can also be politically correct or incorrect. For example, non-veg can be eaten each day except on Tuesdays. Also, food is categorized in different categories like chocolates are to be eaten in depression and low BP, daliya and khichdi are meant for sick people, all healthy people can eat oily food to later fall ill.
All in all food runs in our veins, it can make us both fat and thin, it can be terrific as well as terrible at the same time, it can used to please or tease. There is always food involved in our happiness and mournfulness.
So, let us all eat after its food for thought and thought for food.
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