Recently, while booking an airline ticket on a transatlantic flight I was asked if I wanted a Hindu Non-Veg Meal.

Quite frankly, I was aghast. Isn’t this taking food preferences a bit too far?

All I wanted a Non Vegetarian meal . It didn’t matter if it was Hindu or not .

” I don’t really care about the Hindu part , ” I replied ” I just want a Non Vegetarian meal. Can’t I have a continental meal? ”

“I’m afraid madam on this sector it isn’t available ”

Now that was something that made me even more curious. Here I was traveling westward on a European carrier and was told that there was no continental meal available !!! What about the non-Indians, I thought travelling on the plane. Were they going  to be subjected to gravies swimming in their plates?

“Then what is available ? ”

“Hindu Vegetarian and Muslim Non Vegetarian.”

“Really ? And what is the difference between the two non-veg options? Does one have beef and the other pork?”

“No ! no! ” protested the girl. “We only serve chicken! ”

“How are they different ?” I persisted.

“In the way they are slaughtered?” she asked tentatively.

In the beginning there was just chicken

This was something new to me. Indeed, it was a far cry from the days when airline food was just airline food. Normally, food served on board was the food of the country of the national carrier. I didn’t matter what the passenger like. Hence you either ate it or starved.

However, with more crowded skies there was a need to encourage passenger loyalty. There came faster planes, wider seats and  food that was Vegetarian and non-Vegetarian.

Gradually the menu included vegan, diabetic and other kinds of cuisines.

Now this was something else! Here I was looking to enjoy a good glass of French wine and eating some as-nice-as-it-can-get-on-an-aeroplane, continental food.  However, here I had only two options : a Hindu or a Muslim Non-Vegetarian Meal.

“So I’ll make it Hindu Non Vegetarian madam?”

I asked her if there were other options like Christian Non-Vegetarian or Jewish Vegetarian.

Needless to say, she didn’t get the sarcasm!

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[Tweet “Have you come across a Hindu Non-Vegetarian meal before?”]

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Strange are the ways of the world. My personal belief is that food and religion are totally unrelated. It is health that determines dietary  restrictions . Since  I don’t judge others for following their beliefs,  I wonder why I have to conform to beliefs and practices that aren’t mine.

Am I right or am I wrong? Do share your views in the comments . I’d love to hear from you.