As we sip our cold coffee at the hottest happening place, we may not be too keen to know what is happening in the world that does not directly concern us. Perhaps it is just our (con)temporary halt before we rush out for the latest movie at Inox or another multiplex. Or maybe the new mall.

But just mull this over before you think some issues can become good French fries for our drink, and we discuss them in the post-colonial or post-Marxist context. For us, who feel comfortable at the sight of McDonald’s, malls, resorts, Dominos, Pizza Hut, Bic Mac, C3, Shoppers’ Stop, etc, remember it is all connected with betel leaf. You end a heavy meal with paan.

I am talking of gastronomy, not political economy. Or am I? Well as you think. And we are a good rice eating community. But we do relish fish. None should disturb us while eating.

Those of us living in islands of plenty would prefer noodles rather than savour staple food. But noodles can bring obesity and that could make us sluggish, inactive. But those who grow rice to eat it or even feed us work day and night. Others feed on them, like locusts on crop.

Chewing paan is not civilised but eating noodles is, so is chewing gum or using slang.

By the way betel leaves are chewed as stimulant, antiseptic, breath freshener. In some countries of South Asia, it treats headaches, arthritis and joint pain. It even relieves toothache if you are in China, which is growing bigger with noodles eaters. While betel leaves can relieve you of your internal assignments, they can also let you breathe easy, they say. Some believe it is a lactative. However, at home, my people use it to cure worms.
I am sure all would agree that it is better to eat betel leaves after a good rice meal with fish cooked with coconut.

But many are not going to rice or even fish in many far away lands, they are only being treated to salt in their mouth, and salt dries on their faces as they look at us. We are only watching them from the comfort of our drawing rooms eating noodles from plastic bowls. Perhaps we should go back to rice and coconut now. And fish.
As I began, remember betel leaves when you eat noodles from a plastic bowl. The man who makes noodles is eating the men who grow rice and coconut, men who supply fish.

The next time you eat noodles, remember betel leaves too. Betel leaves help digestion while noodles can leave one with a bad stomach.

Bujecho babu? Use your brain is what I mean when I utter “use your noodles” in slang. Do that before your heart melts when you see the sight of pictures in the media. Do as I did, know more about noodles and the betel leaf.
The land of betel leaves is under attack from noodles and the chemical preservatives, which go with it. Decide on eating the right food before nothing is left of it. It does not require one to be a Buddha to be enlightened. Even if you are at Mindtree or under the pipul tree. Those who offer supari with betel leaves know.