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Kolkata, Oct 22 (IANS) A day ahead of the auspicious occasion of ‘Bhai Dooj’, popularly known as ‘Bhai Phota’ in the state, prices of food items like fish, mutton, chicken and vegetables essential for popular Bengali dishes are skyrocketing in the retail market of Kolkata, leaving sisters in a dilemma as to how to arrange the favorite fish, mutton and chicken items for their brothers on this special occasion.
On this auspicious occasion, sisters not only apply tilak to their brothers and wish for their long life, but also arrange for their favorite dishes. As per the belief, brothers promise to protect their sisters and arrange the best gifts for their sisters.
According to the popular food culture of Bengalis, fish, mutton and chicken items are a must for post-tilak lunch or dinner. However, the skyrocketing prices of these three products in the retail markets of Kolkata since Wednesday has become a headache for the city’s sisters, especially those coming from middle-class financial backgrounds.
Hilsa fish, one of the most favorite items in Bengali cuisine, was being sold at Rs 1,800 per kg in retail markets in the city on Wednesday. While the price of mutton is Rs 980 per kg, the price of chicken is around Rs 250 per kg.
Since Wednesday, the prices of vegetables have been skyrocketing in the retail markets. While tomato is being sold at Rs 80 per kg, the price of brinjal is between Rs 80 and Rs 100 per kg. Only the price of potato is more or less stable at Rs 22 per kg.
Green chillies, an essential ingredient for enhancing flavor in most Bengali dishes, cost Rs 150 per kg. Cauliflower is being sold at around Rs 60 per piece in the retail markets of Kolkata.
The worst part is that since Wednesday, the favorite sweets of Bengalis are being sold at 10 to 15 percent more than the normal prices.
Given the rising prices, many sisters, with a sad heart, are forced to reduce their menu on the occasion of Bhai Phota.
–IANS
Source/PGH