we are like this only

Recently, there were reports that Akshay Patra, which is the NGO partner on the midday meal scheme across several states, doesn't cook with onion and garlic, and the beneficiaries do not relish such food, leading to wastage. Arguments are raging back and forth on both sides, and I was shocked to read a tweet from someone who said: "1. Beggars can't be choosers; and 2. What's next, Biryani fried rice?" Rather reminiscent of the reaction Oliver Twist got when he asked for more. It reminded me of a research project I had worked on a few years back. The client had come up with an idea for a brand of sambar powder for a southern state targeting the budget-stressed consumer and wanted to understand consumer attitudes and usage beforehand. When I reported the findings - that not only were there huge variations in the types of sambars and therefore  powders, but consumers were extremely picky about the taste and therefore powder they used, the client was aghast. They...

Of late my environment consciousness radar has been more active than before. From giving up straws to refusing bottled water, I am trying to take small steps towards being friendlier towards the environment. My husband and I shop for the week’s veggies at an organic veggie pop up market every Sunday. Apart from veggies and fruit, it offers various types of organic produce – soaps and cleansers, varieties of rice, grains, pickles, pesto, butter and ghee etc. Alongside, since the market starts and packs up early, it also offers breakfast – piping hot idlis and sambar. Two weekends ago, there was also a guy selling fresh squeezed orange and malta juice. I ordered a glass of juice and wandered off to finish my purchases while he got the juice ready. Much to my dismay when I returned to the stall, it was being served up in a thin, single use plastic glass, and even worse, he had already inserted a plastic straw into it. Much of the joy of the delicious fresh juice was diluted by the carele...