BAN-APPETITE!!

Have you ever had that surreal feeling of returning home after a long time? That feeling is probably one of the best. You gaze with a feeling of amusement and the moment when you enter your home, heart is filled with rapture. No matter how small or fancy our hometown might be, its memory is etched forever. Likewise, my hometown of Bagdogra is a more than perfect place for me. It’s very special for me. It doesn’t fall into a category of perfectness; it has its own pitfalls. But it’s a place where feeling good doesn't ever cost a thing. Its beauty is more than appealing with picturesque hills holding its head high. The mystical breeze accompanying it and its muse is fathomless. The mighty forests of the Mahananda Wildlfie Sanctuary give it a rich blend of flora and fauna. Sharing its border with Nepal and lying close to the neighboring states of Bihar and Sikkim, there are many diverse communities and with their vivid lifestyle. Majority consists of people serving in the armed forces, followed up by traders and service sector workers. The best colors are seen during autumn time when Durgo Pujo is accompanied by Dasai and Tihar. Bagdogra too has had its share of disturbance, notwithstanding the agitations, still there is lot of love and bonding between people and no impediment is tough enough to diminish their unity.

                                                                                     The reason why I am writing about it is because of our blog named lX B Headquarters. It has its etymology in Bagdogra. My ecstasy triumphs over the jitteriness as a contributor to the IXB Headquarters blog. Naively and slowly the blog now is veracity. To be clandestine with you all, IXB Headquarters hosted a number of ideas but it dint rear a genuine fruit. It feels stupid to ponder those by gone days when thoughts triggered but never ignited. My indolence was for many reasons. Primely, my taste buds and palates. They were the ones to cause disarray. Whenever any “Food For Thought” would pop up, my senses would entertain the "taste bud”, making the "thoughts" an uninvited guest. The visual treat wasn't over, because the “thoughts "would return ..... And today it has.

                                                        To give you all a fun fact, Bagdogra which comes under Siliguri is also called “The Chicken Neck" owing to its shape like a thin strip resembling the neck of a chicken. To add to its reputation, The Gorkha and Bengali community have a great fondness for non vegetarian food. The place hosts one of the most amazing Momos round the globe and not to forget many fish cuisines, The Lithi and Chutney adding a Bhojpuri blend. Even more, the street food is tantalizing and on a given day it certainly outplays the KFC’s, Pizzas and Dominos. One can sit near a tea stall near the dusk time sipping tea and do nothing but watch the people and have addas with friends. The feeling is priceless. Some incentives of residing in West Bengal, a place where development is king inroads at a brisk pace .Though a major industry is yet to be initiated, but promises are many. I am acknowledging the fact that unlike other states, who have put a ban on the sale of meat on the occasion of the Jain festival of Paryushan, we are free to eat what we like. Maharashtra started the "Ban- Wagon”, the onus was on the rest of the BJP ruled states. Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Gujarat soon followed. The burgeoning ban on the sale of meat and beef is a cultural dogma and stigma for the society. It is a fatwa of democracy. Vegetarianism cannot be an obligation. Why did the chicken cross the road!!! Well, the chicken would be making a mockery of us seeing our acts, preferably no intentions of crossing the road.

                                                                                 

                                                          

                                                                                                   The other fact remains that on an average there is a stereotypical behaviour if we take food into account. The Northeastern food is disliked because of the stench smell, though one would miss out on a delicacy if he doesn't taste it. An epitome of frustration would be a North Indian guy who is served with Idli and coconut Chutney if he is ideally a hostel resider. We have that one friend in our group who is a complete veggie at home and suddenly turns carnivorous at birthday parties..

                                                                                                   Ironically, when vegetable prices are sky rocketing, non veg seems plausible. I believe it has to be left on one's own faculties of reasoning and rationale to decide what should be done. So folks, the next time you see a deep fried chicken wing or a Pork chop, don't resist the temptation. Grab it and munch it along with your buddies. Till then we at IX B Headquarters will try to find a recipe of happiness for you all and serve it to you very soon. And remember,

                                                  It's always Bon- Appetite and not Ban- Appetite......