The government of India has decided to popularise "khichdi" in global markets for commercial promotion.
During the World Food India conference, well-known chef Sanjeev Kapoor will attempt to create a world record by preparing 'Brand India Khichdi' using 800 kg of grains in a giant kadhai (wok).
Khichdi that’s prepared using ingredients like rice, moong beans, amaranth, jowar, bajra, barley and Indian spices is popular in many states including Odisha, Maharashtra Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh.
The home-cooked staple food symbolises India's great culture of unity in diversity, said Minister for Food Processing Industries Harsimrat Kaur Badal during a curtain raiser event for the conference.
"Khichdi is considered nutritious, healthiest food in India and it is eaten by poor and rich alike, irrespective of their class. It symbolises India's great culture of unity in diversity. So it has been selected as the brand of Indian food," Badal said.
The government has decided to propose Khichdi as the brand of food to be promoted, but with initial reports claiming that Kichdhi will be made national food, Twitter was full of reactions. The minister later clarified there was no 'national food' proposal.
This is the best decision imho.Khichdi has good amount of carbs, adequate amount of protein and fats. Even the show was better than sarabhai
— Chirag Barjatya (@chiragbarjatyaa) November 1, 2017
Do we have to stand every time we see it being eaten? Is it compulsory to eat before a movie? Is it anti-national to not like the stuff? https://t.co/MkgWEBNQlH
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) November 1, 2017
I hate #Khichdi. Worst choice for national dish (why do we even need one?). The only time one shd eat it is when you're ill.
— Zakka Jacob (@Zakka_Jacob) November 1, 2017
Lo ji Karlo aish #Khichdi to be declared national food. Who knows people may be asked to stand up while eating khichdi pic.twitter.com/SoXtFaSin3
— Zubair Yousuf (@zubaironline) November 1, 2017
And if you don't like #Khichdi or don't eat it, I have the right to question your patriotism. Maybe, beat you if you don't eat & praise it. https://t.co/nnozUD4MsU
— Nakuul Mehta (@NakuulMehta) November 1, 2017
Oh that's a great choice- #Khichdi as national dish. Love it!! pic.twitter.com/69dDI7Tkvk
— Manish Shaarma (@Manishshaarma) November 1, 2017
The Kashmiri version of #Khichdi is a sumptuous meat and lentil combination.
— Smriti Kak (@smritikak) November 1, 2017
The only time I was admitted in a hospital was when I was 7. And I was fed khichdi. Godawful stuff.
— Madhu Menon (@madmanweb) November 1, 2017
There is an event called World Food India. Khichdi will be promoted as brand India food. Chill. Nobody is forcing you to eat khichdi.
— Naomi Datta (@nowme_datta) November 1, 2017
As India drops in Hunger Ratings under BJP, their response is making #Khichdi national dish! This is culinary hegemony! What abt gongura?
— Madhuri Danthala (@Madhuism_) November 1, 2017
The only #Khichdi i liked through all these years. pic.twitter.com/ZxYaFYiDSl
— Rishika (@aadiivaasii) November 1, 2017
Can't understand why people are rubbishing #Khichdi and bringing politics into it. It's a comfort food that made well can be very tasty.
— Chitra Narayanan (@ndcnn) November 1, 2017
If Khichdi is being accorded the status of National Food, then Ghee, Dahi, Papad and Achaar should immediately be declared National Friends. pic.twitter.com/bLX842WL1S
— Roflindian (@Roflindian) November 1, 2017
And, there was the Malayali.
#khichdi we want porotta beef as national food :) pic.twitter.com/AGJJvDMtyp
— Freak Guru (@Vin1nair) November 1, 2017