From Gul Papdi to Chocolate Biscuits: A Taste of Love and Changing Times

 

Once again, I am pondering on my childhood days when my nani (grandmother) used to cook with love. There was certainly a magic in her hands. Whatever she cooked was delicious to eat. Today I will talk about a special snack which used to be our favourite biscuit of childhood. As it was a large family, there was no scope for getting readymade biscuits during those times. My granny used to prepare this traditional; sweet biscuit which I called it - made with jaggery, wheat flour and a dash of cardamon. I t was modest treat of my childhood. It was more than simply food; it was an emotion.

Today kids are more prone to readymade biscuits of different flavours as they are good looking well packed and are convenient to eat at any time.

Gulpapdi also known as Sukhdi in some regions is a reminder of love, warmth, care and most important it is nutritious, as it is made from wheat flour, jaggery and ghee. One piece of it would keep energised for the whole day

When we show our inclination towards readymade stuff what we are losing is our bonding time that we spent with our elders in kitchen. 

It's time to think how can we blend old with the new. We can be creative and innovative in preparing gulpapdi and modifying its look but keeping the old roots.

It's a time to get the children during vacation to learn our traditional dishes, they might come up with a new version. But what is more important is instead of spending more time on screen it's better for the kids to spend the time in preparing these traditional dishes thereby enriching the bonding, the love and affection for all and understanding each other.

Let chocklate biscuits exist but let them coexist with homemade goodness.

A Bite of Memory, A Lesson for the Future

Food is not just fuel—it is memory, emotion, and culture. While chocolate biscuits may win the child’s attention today, the taste of Gul Papdi made with grandmother’s hands lingers far longer in the heart.