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By Gopinath Mavinkurve
In the 1980s, being a privileged participant of a training program on labour issues, one learnt that the secret source of all major industrial disputes with the working class was a humble snack served in the canteen. The round object, commonly known as the Batata Vada, needed the urgent attention of industrialists. Any change in the dimensions, quality or contents of this object would deal a devastating blow on productivity and lead to industrial unrest, we were warned by a reputed HR advisor
Trade union leaders were demanding, rebellious and often incited violence to press for their demands. Factories thrived in the city of Bombay (now Mumbai), providing employment and attracting migrants to the city, which was bursting at its seams. This prompted state bureaucrats to envision planned industrial growth elsewhere in the backward areas of the state. Incentive carrots dangled to promote fresh investment in these remote areas.
Eyeing lower operating costs, larger modern factories were built to cater to expansion plans which proved to be commercially superior to the urban seniors. Some shrewd industrialists then turned to the unsuspecting snack and changed just that parameter that would lead to unrest, strikes and eventually lockouts. The humble snack made of potatoes, played a pivotal role in changing urban landscape, where mills gave way to malls and manufacturing moved out.
Meanwhile, a popular politician, having won the heart of Biharis, compared himself with the indispensability of the potato from the locally popular Samosa. “Jab tak samose mein aaloo rahega, tab tak Bihar mein Laloo rahega!” Though various ingredients attempted to invade the samosa, the potato, the heart of the snack, could not be dislodged. The politician however grew beyond local stature to assume a larger national role.
Having forged an alliance with the local bread “Pav”, the Batata Vada, is harbouring corporate aspirations. Having turned a leaf, the tuber is now playing a central part of a socio-economic revolution, providing the much needed “inclusive growth” by offering self-employment to several jobless urban youth.
The potential of the snack with global appeal amazes me. It could conquer the hearts of people all over the world! When the corporate entity gets listed on the NASDAQ, would George Bush blame Maharashtra’s politicians for the rise of price of potatoes caused by the exponential rise in the consumption of Batata Vadas in USA?
Would it one day be-friend the North Indian Samosa, saying “At heart, we are just the same – Potatoes”, paving the way for friendly relations between warring factions in Maharashtra? With these thoughts, I walked into a restaurant and ordered a Batata Vada and Samosa combo, along with the South Indian Sambar and “Gulab Jamun to be placed to my left”. While saying grace, the waiter asked me curiously, “Are you performing some Pooja?” “Yes, the only pooja that I perform religiously each day, Pet Pooja”, I replied. “But this one is special , the best a poor scribe can do for national integration”, I explained the puzzled waiter. Hoping there wouldn’t be any internal rumblings, I descended upon the delightful combo snack! The waiter presented me with a complimentary Hajmola to aid my digestion, He however continued to be puzzled, popped in a “Mentos” himself, hoping it would “Dimag Ki Batti Jala De!"
In the 1980s, being a privileged participant of a training program on labour issues, one learnt that the secret source of all major industrial disputes with the working class was a humble snack served in the canteen. The round object, commonly known as the Batata Vada, needed the urgent attention of industrialists. Any change in the dimensions, quality or contents of this object would deal a devastating blow on productivity and lead to industrial unrest, we were warned by a reputed HR advisor
Trade union leaders were demanding, rebellious and often incited violence to press for their demands. Factories thrived in the city of Bombay (now Mumbai), providing employment and attracting migrants to the city, which was bursting at its seams. This prompted state bureaucrats to envision planned industrial growth elsewhere in the backward areas of the state. Incentive carrots dangled to promote fresh investment in these remote areas.
Eyeing lower operating costs, larger modern factories were built to cater to expansion plans which proved to be commercially superior to the urban seniors. Some shrewd industrialists then turned to the unsuspecting snack and changed just that parameter that would lead to unrest, strikes and eventually lockouts. The humble snack made of potatoes, played a pivotal role in changing urban landscape, where mills gave way to malls and manufacturing moved out.
Meanwhile, a popular politician, having won the heart of Biharis, compared himself with the indispensability of the potato from the locally popular Samosa. “Jab tak samose mein aaloo rahega, tab tak Bihar mein Laloo rahega!” Though various ingredients attempted to invade the samosa, the potato, the heart of the snack, could not be dislodged. The politician however grew beyond local stature to assume a larger national role.
Having forged an alliance with the local bread “Pav”, the Batata Vada, is harbouring corporate aspirations. Having turned a leaf, the tuber is now playing a central part of a socio-economic revolution, providing the much needed “inclusive growth” by offering self-employment to several jobless urban youth.
The potential of the snack with global appeal amazes me. It could conquer the hearts of people all over the world! When the corporate entity gets listed on the NASDAQ, would George Bush blame Maharashtra’s politicians for the rise of price of potatoes caused by the exponential rise in the consumption of Batata Vadas in USA?
Would it one day be-friend the North Indian Samosa, saying “At heart, we are just the same – Potatoes”, paving the way for friendly relations between warring factions in Maharashtra? With these thoughts, I walked into a restaurant and ordered a Batata Vada and Samosa combo, along with the South Indian Sambar and “Gulab Jamun to be placed to my left”. While saying grace, the waiter asked me curiously, “Are you performing some Pooja?” “Yes, the only pooja that I perform religiously each day, Pet Pooja”, I replied. “But this one is special , the best a poor scribe can do for national integration”, I explained the puzzled waiter. Hoping there wouldn’t be any internal rumblings, I descended upon the delightful combo snack! The waiter presented me with a complimentary Hajmola to aid my digestion, He however continued to be puzzled, popped in a “Mentos” himself, hoping it would “Dimag Ki Batti Jala De!"
Concluded
PS: Today being Father's Day, another avid blogger, Yogesh Chabria The Happionaire Blog has featured my previous article "Daughters are Forever!" If you haven't read it yet, read it today!
Happy Father's Day!
