Organic : trend ? , Or return to tradition

 

Organic :  trend ? or  return to tradition ?

Finishing a quick Breakfast at a restaurant on the highway, while travelling to Bangalore,  I was waiting for the Driver who was taking his time over refreshments. Impulsively, entered the “Organic” shop Attached to the restaurant. Found half a dozen ladies (seemingly conservative and  distinctly north Karnataka), all Senior Citizens, presumably on a group tour.They were sauntering  loitering around the racks.

One of the Ladies asked  her friend:  “ Harini , what is organic food ?”

Did you say “Organic food Lakshmakka”? 

“Yes, I see these organic food counters in every shop now.” Lakshmakka  persisted.

“Ah…organic food. Thats just regular food but costlier.” Said Harini Triumphantly

The other women standing nearby got curious & joined in the conversation.

Now  let wicked me not disappoint you. You are right! It is my firm belief  that when a group of women (Senior Citizens at that!)  are engaged in a  healthy discussion , it invariably ends with the  “ fittest”  delivering   the final  verdict.

Usually  in a group  one doesn’t  question  the other’s opinion  unless they are  discussing important  issues  like  “ is coconut chutney with Idli  better than Raitha with Pongal” ?  or  “does adding garlic in brinjal  curry make it tastier” ? when everyone  jumps in with their own Expert Opinion..

In this case too they  did !

Stern looking Aunty 3: “ If it is normal food, why is it costlier?”

Not to be seen as the one who doesn’t know her grocery , Aunty 4  responded with Authority : “  You see , these are items  which didn’t have poisonous fertilizers and pesticides sprayed on them. Such toxic stuff can kill people you know?”

 And As an after  thought said  , “ Not that fertilizers and pesticides are the only way to kill people.”

My Driver returned.  But I waited,  ears perked up ( Oh yes  my hearing aids were in place) holding my breath. This discussion was getting interesting. There was half a chance one of the contestants hiring the Hotel Security  to “Convince”  the others. Thankfully nothing serious happened   and they moved on to other topics.

But  I realized that  the ladies  were right. Organic food is regular food but costlier. In fact, organic food is so costly that a household with average fixed earnings will be doomed if they decide to go completely “Organic”.

Resumed  our travel, thinking about “Organic Food”

Twenty  years back, only a few people  would dare  to enter shops that had huge glass panes in the front , were air conditioned   and  were  costlier than the  traditional  “Friendly”  Neighborhood Store.

 But, not anymore thanks to  booming consumerism, people    don’t hesitate to enter  such shops .

what these fancy  shops were about then  , the “organic food” store  is today. It is so expensive.

Every time I go  grocery shopping to one of these Mega Stores,   I see racks  labelled ‘Organic Foods’ .

Just in case someone has  a misconception &  don’t realize. Organic food is the food that our grandparents   ate everyday, day after day  & without paying anything extra . This was when they were in control of their lives and and when we were toddlers.

Organic food for which we pay so much today  wasn’t always this  costly. Just think of the fruit Ganesha (the Lord) earned using his inventiveness or the Apple Eve ate or the poisoned one the witch tempted  Snow White with. ORGANIC & FRE E  were’nt they?. Not to mention  the one that fell on Newton’s head !

 Why then do we  unfortunate mortals  have to pay hefty sums now for anything labelled organic ?

About twenty five  years ago all food items sold at every store was organic and easily accessible to everyone. There was no seperate shop or counters. Our grand parents never had to go to    stores  named ORGAnik,  PURE & SURE , Hasiru Siri, Etc; to buy unadulterated  , healthy Food.

One of the things we can do to make ensure we all don’t end up paying exhorbitant sums  for Organic food  Is by  sharing posts like this  on  Facebook & Whatsapp groups and educate all farmers that we  should ONLY be growing food without  chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Ohh! wait, there is an issue ! The farmers on Facebook & Whatsapp groups  aren’t real farmers (plowers ie)  …  they are the ones who block the highways while protesting against farm laws, crop prices and other personal issues with their imported SUV’s while enjoying  Pizza with cans of coke for Nashta , Khana & diversion .Farmers & their farming  have come a long way.

Continued the journey with The words of “Authoriative" Aunty 3  ringing in the ears:

“ , ಆದಾ ನೋಡ್ರಿ ಮತ್ತ್  thangi ಈ ಖಾನಾವಳಿಯಾಗ್ ಒಂದ್ ಥಾಟ್ ಭಾಕ್ರಿ ತಿಂದ್  ವಾಟಗ ಚ್ಛಾಹ್ ಕುಡಿದಾಕ ಮೂರ್ ನೂರ್ ರೊಕ್ಕ  ನೀಡಾಕ್ ಹತ್ತ್ಹೀವೀ.”