I’m enjoying the Pune weather this week and spending time with my folks. As usual the talk centred around what was happening both inside our house and outside. The hot topics were
- Our corrupt politicians
- Our downward facing economy
- The rising prices of every day commodities
With prices of everything going upwards why would onions be any different? They are not only nutritive and healthy ( they are supposed to have a low glycemic index hence good for diabetics) but essential, as my father mentions in this guest post, as the main item on the Mess Menu!!
“Cut Onion Salad”
The year was 1982 and I was posted to Delhi.
This was quite a few years before a few Pay Commissions. In the SP Marg Mess, on the menu there used to be an item “Cut Onion Salad” ! Gone were the days of Vasant Sagar Mess with its today’s 5 Star menus. Celery Sticks at the table, can you imagine?
I had already put in my papers. I went to call on COP with whom I had served before. He said to me “Jogi don’t leave Service. Very soon we are going to introduce free rations for the Officers”
Free rations? I remembered my school days during WWII there used to be ads in newspapers.” Join the Army. Free uniforms. Free khana. Pay Rs 16”. The idea of ‘free rations’ was so abhorrent !
Even inspite of free rations and a substantial rise in Pay and Allowances, with onions rising to Rs 80+ /kg “Cut Onion Salad“ must have made a comeback in the Officer’s Messes Menu !!
Twenty- five Seven 