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- Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam

#Khichdi

Star Citizens

Abha Singhal's Khichdi Revolution - Building a Rs 50 Crore Empire!

Abha Singhal, a former model turned visionary entrepreneur, has defied convention by building an astonishing Rs 50 crore empire around India's beloved comfort food, Khichdi. Her brainchild, Khichdi Express, surpassed expectations and met with phenomenal success amidst the bustling landscape of digital enterprises. Abha's journey wasn’t an easy one. She had to stay in hostels and boarding schools after her parents' divorce. Financial constraints led her to live in a friend's rented apartment with minimal possessions. However, adversity didn't define her path. Excelling academically, she secured a partial MBA scholarship in London. It was there she discovered her love for the simplicity and adaptability of Khichdi. Returning to India, Abha embarked on a career in modeling, featuring in high-profile advertisements for renowned brands. Yet, sensing the transient nature of the industry, she yearned for a more enduring venture. A rekindled affection for Khichdi, coupled with a friend's encouragement, spurred her to establish Khichdi Express in 2019, despite initial doubts. The venture began modestly with a Rs 3 lakh investment and two individuals. Overcoming skepticism, Abha expanded the menu to include local delicacies and partnered with food delivery platforms, broadening the reach of her diverse Khichdi offerings. During the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic, Khichdi Express stepped up to provide free meals to those in need, reflecting Abha's commitment to community support. In just four years, her enterprise burgeoned to Rs 50 crore. . With outlets across multiple cities offering a plethora of Khichdi variations, Abha's ambition propels her towards the global stage, demonstrating that innovation and passion can transform a traditional dish into a thriving business empire!

23 Nov 2023
Star Citizens

Positive Reads

Monsoon Munchies: 5 Delectable Indian Delights to Savor During the Rainy Season

As the monsoon season sets in, it's time to indulge in some delicious Indian food & snacks that are perfect for a rainy day.  Here are five Indian edibles that are sure to give you a warm and comforting feeling during the rainy season: 1. Pakoras - These deep-fried fritters made of vegetables like onions, potatoes, and spinach, are a popular snack during the monsoon season. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and are best enjoyed with a cup of hot tea. 2. Samosas - Another popular snack during the monsoon season, samosas are crispy, triangular-shaped pastries filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and onions. They are perfect for a rainy day and are best enjoyed with a cup of chai. 3. Khichdi - This simple yet hearty dish is made of rice and lentils, and is often served with a dollop of ghee. It is a comfort food that is perfect for a rainy day, and is also easy to digest. 4. Masala chai - A hot cup of masala chai is the perfect way to warm up on a rainy day. This tea is made by brewing tea leaves with a blend of aromatic spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves. 5. Bhutta - This popular street food is made by roasting a corn cob on an open flame and then rubbing it with a mix of spices and lemon juice. It's a perfect snack to enjoy while watching the rain. These are just a few of the many delicious Indian food that are perfect for the monsoon season. So, grab a plate and enjoy the rains!  

4 Aug 2023
Positive Reads

Khichdi, the Brand India Food

The humble khichdi is soon going to be world famous! In the country's biggest-ever global food expo, the World Food India in Delhi on 4 November 2017, Khichdi will be globally promoted as healthy, delicious, economical and easy to make Superfood of India. There is also an event to create a Guinness World Record for making 800 kg Khichdi. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the Minister of Food Processing Industries of India has described Khichdi as the ‘Queen of all foods’. The traditional dish relished by both rich and poor will be prepared live at the World Food India. Over 800 kg Khichdi will be prepared in an attempt to create a world record and to popularise it as brand India food globally. Khichdi is prepared using rice, pulses, coarse cereals and spices and symbolizes the country’s unity in diversity. Although it is known by different names in different parts of the country, there is no doubt that it is a healthy and nutritious comfort food. Bengal Bengalis call the dish Khichuri and it is considered a rich gourmet delicacy. It is also the first food fed to infants to introduce them to solid foods. It is prepared during holy ceremonies to be kept as an offering to God. Khichdi is made with many ingredients mixed in it and hence it is also called ‘Joga khichuri’ where the term in Bangla means “a mess”. It is accompanied with meat curries, fish, potato chops or it can be simply had with ghee(clarified butter) and pickle. Bihar Khichdi is very popular in Bihar where it is made with rice, dal and garam masala. It is customary to eat khichdi every Saturday in Bihar, and also at dinner during Makar Sankranti. A popular variation in khichdi in the winter months is the addition of cauliflower and green peas. Gujarat Khichdi is a very popular dish of Gujaratis who love to have it with special kadhi, a spicy curry made from a thin sauce of gram flour, curry leaves, cumin, and buttermilk. It is the traditional diet of Kutchi people who consider it as a light and nutritious dish which is preferably consumed as an evening meal. Haryana Haryanvi kichri is made from bajra and mung dal (split mung bean) pounded in mortar (unkhal), and often eaten by mixing with warm ghee or yogurt. Sometimes jowar is also mixed with Bajra and mung dal to form a delicious meal. Odisha Khichdi is a popular dish in Odisha as well and one of its variety- adahengu khechudi- is a popular dish at the Jagannath Temple. South India The popular dish of Karnataka, ‘Bisi bele bath’ is a variant of khichdi which is loved by many. In Tamil Nadu, people prepare Pongal which is very similar to khichdi. It is prepared with rice, lentils and seasoned with black pepper, cumin and cashews. Khichdi is also an important part of Hyderabadi cuisine.    Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal has said, “Khichdi is the wonder staple food of India and is considered the healthiest prepared food in India and it is being eaten across length and breadth of India by rich and poor”. During the event, a giant ‘kadhai’ (frying pan) of the capacity of 1,000 litres and 7 feet in diameter will be used for slow steam-cooking of more than 800 kg khichdi. It will be prepared by renowned chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who has been roped as brand ambassador of the Great India Food Street for the three-day event starting November 3, being organised by Food Processing Ministry along with CII. The cooked khichdi will be distributed to about 60,000 orphan children as well as guests present at the event. The khichdi will also be distributed to the Heads of Foreign Missions in India along with recipe. Thus, this event will catapult khichdi from a humble dish to the queen of foods.  

2 Nov 2017
Positive Reads

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