New Delhi: For New-York based Aparna Sawhney, Delhi street food has never been about the spicy aloo tikki, the flavourful lassi and finger-licking pav bhaji. Extra cautious about what she eats, Aparna makes a conscious effort to stay away from straight-from-the-street food items. But when she visited the concluding day of NASVI’s National Street Food Festival at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, she was impressed with the attention that every vendor and chef paid to food safety and hygiene.
“Besides allowing Delhi-ites to have an unforgettable experience as they eat out with their families, the organizers of this food festival have also achieved what seems to be the goal of the event – creating safe eating zones - which isn’t that difficult. I’m happy to see how they have set an example for others to sanitise street food in India,” she said.
Since the festival, currently in its seventh edition, featured close to 300 items from 26 states, it saw the attendance of thousands of people.
Food vendor Tiger Singh, who managed the Punjab counter, told why this outdoor food festival serving up all types of Indian street food has been such a hit since its inception.
“It is all about the trust. People who’ve visited the festival during its previous editions are absolutely sure of the quality of the food which is available here. Of its 7 editions, we have been part of the food festival for 5 times. Doesn’t this speak volumes of the care and attention that the organizers give to the vendors? Whether it is the profit margin or the contentment after participating in the festival, we are happy with both.”
Arvind Singh, coordinator of NASVI, was evidently thrilled by the response that the festival has received in the last couple of days. Since the festival saw a large presence of youngsters, he was overwhelmed. “We usually complain about the disinterest that youngsters take in such events. We hold them responsible for aping the West and depending completely on every international food item except Indian. But with National Street Food Festival we have managed to change that perception too.”
While the festival plays a key role in making people aware of the huge variety of India’s street food, and the different cuisines that have been brought from across 26 states, it also provides an interesting business opportunity for its vendors. “Whether we accept it or not, it is a fact that street food vendors are often harassed, exploited and troubled by cops. At least, with this festival they are being treated with respect. Such has been the impact of the festival that the vendors from Kashmir have invited fellow participants for a similar event in the valley.”
From the huge variety of food items made available for the guests, we found maximum visitors at the Telangana, Punjab and Maharashtra stalls. The reason? Well, they all impressed the guests by serving authentic Biryani, Vada Pao, Sarson Ka Saag and Makki Ki Roti. The vendors at Jammu and Kashmir stalls too found takers for its Mutton Wazwan and Rogan Josh.
When we approached the Maharashtra stall for its Vada Pao. It took the staff a bit longer to get us what we had ordered. While we waited for our share of Vada Pao, stall owner Salman told us about the popularity of the Maharashtrian cuisine in Delhi. "Since the demand is huge, we usually don't get to move away from the stall," she said.
While the festival pampered us with mouthwatering delicacies from across India, guest Rahul Gandhi’s statement ‘Yahan ki Aloo Tikki zaroor khana’ made us believe that he too is a Delhi street food fan. At least, that’s how it appeared.
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