Abhi Shake for industries to boost Bengal’s image (satire)

Things were getting jittery for Abhi Shake – from the way Didi behaved, he had got the impression that Moo Cool was a goner and Abhi could occupy the seat quite easily. But – that may not happen so soon.
‘What is biting you?’ Omit Misra asked. He was a wizened old soul and knew from experience that there was trouble brewing.
‘Nothing,’ Abhi replied – ‘actually, I was thinking about nolen gur. This year, winter has not set in properly and nolen gur is suffering.’
Omit Misra grimaced. Abhi had, unknowingly, touched a tender spot. Didi had asked to invest money in the nolen gur industry and, with the climate playing truant, how could such an industry survive?

‘I am worried about the return of Moo Cool,’ Abhi admitted.
Omit Misra knew that the return of Moo Cool had spoilt the party for many stalwarts. He had heard that Moo Cool and Didi had a long association and he also knew that Moo Cool always thought up winning strategies. Omit had an inkling that Didi would suddenly spring some surprise.
Suddenly Dee Wreck entered with Show Van and Patro Chatto.
‘Why are you so forlorn?’ Dee Wreck occupied the chair beside Abhi and asked.
‘I am worried about nolen gur,’ Abhi said. ‘It has vanished from the market.’
‘If you want I can get you loads of them,’ Dee Wreck said. ‘Do you want the raw gur or the finished product like nolen gurer sandesh? I know a shop that can supply in Kgs.’
Before Abhi could reply, Patro cleared his throat to draw attention.
‘As you all know, Didi is worried about the new-found energy of the Reds,’ he spoke. ‘She wants to wipe them off the slate. And, we must help her retain her position. Remember, if she goes, we are sunk.’
‘I will launch a campaign in the social media,’ Dee Wreck assured. ‘That is the best way to attract attention.’
‘I will gather support from the poor gur makers,’ Abhi said. ‘Their votes will also count. Since nolen gur is what our brothers pine for, I will take up the issue and fight for their cause. If they survive, our industry will also survive. It does not require much land. Whatever land bank we have will be sufficient. Investment also is less but profits are huge. Remember the Amitabh Bachhan movie Saudagar – the name means ‘businessman’.’
Omit Misra heaved a sigh of relief. If only some business house invested in nolen gur it would open up the doors for others. (to be continued …)

(Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

Some more interesting links -

Moody gifts his neighbor a turban on his birthday (satire)

Lord Shiva’s solution for global warming – go under water (satire)

Didi discusses industries with Moo Cool and Omit Misra (satire)


Use online honey trappers to test the fidelity of the spouse

NASA developing hopping drones to explore Martian caves for human settlement

Cleanliness drive by Railways - collects Rs 58 lakhs in fine from Delhi Railway station


Kissing scenes in movies – why this fad has never caught on in Bollywood

All female pop-group Moranbong Band cancels China goodwill tour

“The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar” - Disney’s upcoming television movie


Christmas Day bushfire destroys 100 homes in popular tourist spot of Lorne in Victoria

Migrants ready to pay £1,200 to people smugglers for trip across Channel in UK-registered car

US airdrops 50-tons of ammunition for M-16s and AK-47 to Syrian fighters

Joynagarer Moah – a unique sweet of Bengal

There are several food items that are unique to West Bengal and, while others may try to imitate them, their efforts very seldom deliver that which is there in the originals. Bengalis have a sweet tooth and sweets rule the roost – in every lane and by lane, alongside the tea shops there are the shops that sell sweets. The sweets appear to be the same but, each shop has its specific patrons.
Anyway – to return to some sweets that are Bengal’s identity. There is the Joynagarer moah which is available only during the winter months. The reason is the ingredients that go into making these sweets that are the delight of Bengalis. Anyone who is returning from Kolkata during winter would invariably be weighed down by packets of this delicacy.

The moah are made from a special kind of puffed rice that are bound with jiggery – that too special nalen gur which is made out of the juice of palms trees. The juice is collected and boiled over a slow fire till the liquid crystalizes and turns solid. There is a special tact involved and the final product depends on the artist who toils over the fire to create these masterpieces. Machines cannot create these.
There was tis beautiful movie on the subject – it was the 1973 movie Saudagar and its actors were Amitabh Bachhan, Nutan and Padma Khanna.
Anyway, the Joynagarer moah of South 24 Parganas Joynagar district has now won the coveted G I (geographical indication) tag. This tag attaches great prestige to the special sweet that has a very short life and has brought joy to those who make these.
Two more equally unique Bengali sweets are the Mihidana and Sitabhog of Burdwan.
These are under evaluation by the concerned people in Chennai and a decision is expected to be made known soon.
Incidentally, a GI tag is a name or sign used on certain products which corresponds to a specific geographical location or origin. (to be continued …)

Some more interesting 'must reads'-

Take care of the heart – a few dos and don’ts

Chinese research finds that spicy food is the secret to a long life

Swatchh Bharat campaign takes a beating in Delhi itself


Dame Julie Andrews to direct new ‘My Fair Lady’ in Sydney for 60th birthday of Opera Australia

There is a fight scene between Captain America and Spiderman in ‘Civil War’

Shah Rukh Khan’s fond wish - to see Ethan Hunt and James Bond in one movie


Parts of lost plane MH370 of Malaysia Airline washes up on Reunion Island

Niloy Neel, fourth blogger of Bangladesh, hacked to death in Dhaka

Suicide bombers attack Kabul –kill dozens of innocents


A street food named jhal muri

A tribute to Kishore Kumar, the legend, on his 86th birthday

The world of fuchka, golgappa and panipuri