GOLGAPPAS- -The Crown Jewel of Indian Street Food

Golgappa, Puchka, Panipuri, Batasha. Varied names in varied regions, but all conjuring up a similar image...a small, round, puffed, crispy fried puri punctured at the top, filled with mashed potato or chickpeas, brimming with spicy and tangy water. This taste wonder is meant to be eaten in one mouthful to relish the different competing elements that fuse brilliantly to bring alive your senses. It has the pride of place amongst all street foods in India. Its supremacy is arguably challenged only by the Samosa which is equally tasty but is considerably less messy to eat.  

It is definitely not haute cuisine in presentation but who cares? It is MOUTHWATERING, quite literally! The Golgappas require a certain degree of skill to be able to eat it comfortably without making a spectacle of yourself. But, what it lacks in finesse and presentation, is compensated for by the flavour which arguably is the pinnacle in gastronomical delight! Golgappas are not for the faint-hearted; its spicy, sweet and sour water can cause your eyes to water and lungs to choke if eaten rapidly. They should ideally come with a warning - proceed with caution !

Every city in India has its own landmark 'chaat' speciality shop where you take your guests with a sense of pride! U.P. is the front runner in Golgappa shops. Delhites and Mumbaiwalas can boast of the best shopping malls and city landscapes but can't match the humble 'chaatwalas' of U.P. in taste and zing. 

At the same time, you need to be a regular 'chaat' eater to be able to discern the best Golgappas from the many copycat versions mushrooming at every nook and corner in North India. Hygiene also plays a major role in the battle of the Golgappas. No wonder the best 'chaat' shops have upped the ante and items like distilled water, glass covering (to keep flies at bay) and disposable gloves for the servers have become mandatory. 

Traditionally, women have been widely believed to be the great Golgappa lovers but men crave this divine wonder just as much, if not more. Historically, women remained vegetarians as eating meat was not considered 'virtuous' and thus were limited to vegetarian delights whereas men had a more varied palate. In the same vein, eating meat was considered 'manly' and showing appreciation for vegetarian food esp 'chaat' was considered showing effeminate tendencies!

The Generation Y is abandoning indigenous golgappas in favour of 'imported' burgers and pizzas. I suppose it isn't cool anymore to express any fondness for your native language or food. Or maybe, it's just that their taste buds and palate have altered like their other lifestyle choices. 

Regardless, the modestly priced and easily available Golgappa remains the favourite of millions due to its unique flavour and tingling taste. The good old Golgappa is a great friend when you are broke or feeling low or both. It is highly addictive - you just can't stop even when your tummy says you are done and the tingling burn in your throat says 'ENOUGH!' You listen to your heart which says: Go on, Go on ....gol..gol..golgappas...:-D

                        KUCH CHATPATA HO JAYE ! 

FAKE FEMINISM

At times you embark upon an issue with noble intent but along the way you lose the plot and crossover to the bizarre and ridiculous. The new age brigade of successful and self professed 'women of substance' are such species who are inadvertently, trivializing the issue of women empowerment by advocating a convoluted thought process and a debauched lifestyle.

An average indian woman is trapped in the moribund shackles of traditions and gets little leverage to break out of it. They are the ones who need to live their life their way which is the way of courage and compassion. They are in need of CHOICES...decent and intelligent ones enabling them to live their life with dignity and empowering them to resist undue domination and suppression by society (male n female included). The freedom they aspire for is freedom to pursue their education and career, freedom to realise their true potential, freedom to make sensible choices for themselves in personal and family matters, freedom to have their say and being heard without being ridiculed. This is what they require and not the choice of being gay or adulterer or whatever. 

The likes of bollywood celebrities and pseudo journalists with their brand of aggressive and over the top notion of women power, sit in their ivory towers and seek to hog the limelight by riding on the women's lib bandwagon. Nothing could be more regressive than pitching yourself as a woman who fast tracks on the road to success, piggybacking not on genuine talent and hardwork but cheap titillation.. Pathetic effort Deepika, especially after that honest take on a taboo topic like depression.. You are defeating the very cause u are trying to champion..! Breaking some taboos make for convincing tableaux while breaking others only help in hard selling the tabloids. Your life, your choice...! To toast it or 'roast' it  ...