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| Bombay Times, (TOI) 23 - 01 - 2002 |
| Finding India in Berlin |
 Berlin is hosting a nine-day food fest and Rashmi Uday Singh was
there to get the first bite.
I`m as frozen as a kulfi! It`s sub-zero temperatures in Berlin and
neither my ear muffs nor my greatcoat is helping any. But then what a heartwarming
sight it is to see the strapping sardar`s briskly-made bhaturas in
great demand!
K C Chatterjee`s green tea, neem and jute products are being queued up for.
Nivedita Mehta from Mumbai, Tariq Mehmood from Kanpur, Mitali Roy from Lucknow
are happily exhibiting and selling everything from Mango Lychee sherbet
to papads and chillis and pickles. "See this," says Chatterjee,
proudly pointing to a tea box labelled 'Kashmirkali kahwa'. "This is
our way of informing the world that Kashmir is ours and of building bridges
between India and the world. Indischer Gruner tea is leading the market
in Germany, China is lagging behind," he says.
As for me, I`m smiling too. It`s great to see our countrymen holding their
own in 'Green Woche', the world`s largest consumer food and agricultural
fair, which is being held annually in Berlin. An amazing city, which in
the past 10 years has emerged swiftly from the shadow of the 155 km snaking
wall. A city which is fast going to rival Paris, New York and London. The
hub of theatres and orchestras, officially designated as 'Europe`s city
of culture', it is also Germany`s greenest metropolis. Its woods and parks
give that zing to the crisp, clear Berlin air. And the biggest surprise
is that Berlin has about 180 km of navigable waterways and more bridges
(approx 1,700) than Venice. No wonder then that this city has been hosting
this unique nine-day fair for almost 100 years.
This year, 1,614 exhibitors from 64 countries are taking part in the sprawling
halls covering 134,000 sq mt, Where I would definitely be lost if it wasn`t
for the tall and lissome Corinna Nine as from the German government, who
guides me around. The halls bustle with ' Kulinarium' (wine displays), cooking
studios, youth halls, 'talking food, 'bio taste the future' and, of course,
horticulture and agriculture.
India reigns supreme in one little corner of this gargantuan display, or
so I think. Till I find that our influence has spread far beyond our products,
when I meet the young man behind the successful line of 'Yogi Tea' producers.
He`s a true blue German who has grown his hair, wears a Sardar`s turban
and has officially named himself Sangeet Singh Gill. " I`ve changed
my religion to Sikhism," he says proudly. "the recipe of my Yogi
Tea was given by my teacher Harbhajan Singh from the US," he informs,
My guide, Corinna, has been buying this tea for many years. It is beautifully
packed and has many flavors. "What are the chief characteristics of
this tea?" I ask.
"The tea will help relax and find yourself," he says confidently.
The icy winds blow outside, I take a sip of the hot masala chai,
redolent of cinammon and elaichi.
I have many more exciting days here and suddenly Berlin seems not just beautiful,
but warm as well! |
