OVER ONION OUTRAGES

                                               

The onion is known for making one shed tears, who dresses it. But in the Indian context it has been proved that this vegetable bulb  also makes one weep, who musters courage of buying this pricy grocery item today. This ubiquitous bulb is friendly with all salty preparations for making them tastier and so when  it is either unavailable or costly, not only the common man weeps but also the centre of power starts shaking. Perhaps the BJP learnt this lesson hard way some 15 years ago.

Had it not touched the sky-rocketing price, many people including me could not have pronounced this ordinary word correctly. I remember, when this bulb had become very costly under the BJP rule in Delhi, the then Prime Minister had explained the reason behind that scarcity.  The renowned journalist, Sardar Khushwant Singh had pointed out that the PM, while using this word,  wrongly pronounced ‘o’ like in ‘over’ whereas the correct position is to pronounce ‘o’ as ‘a’.

I am reminded of yet another onion related story. It was in late 70s when it became highly costly in Kashmir, making it beyond the reach of general public. Perhaps it was due to prolonged road-block for which J&K is known. One shuddered to purchase even 250 g of onion. At that time a Bihari IPS officer invited his Kashmiri batch-mate on dinner. The Kashmiri enquired if non-veg would be a part of the menu. The Bihari boldly replied that not only mutton would be served, but  while cooking it, adequate onion would also be mixed.

Onion, perhaps is not kind to lady politicians, particularly in power. !5 years ago, it taught a bitter lesson to Sushma Swaraj, and this time it is determined to take the toll of Sheila Dikshit. Never before onion had touched century mark and rightly this unique credit goes to Sheilaji. The Delhiites, who were already feeling harassed due to water and power paucity, are at their wit’s end to find onion costlier than the best variety of apple. The question arises, “If onion dethroned Sushmaji, why it cannot once again show the exit gate to the present incumbent?”