India is famous for its wide range of cuisines. From spicy North Indian dishes to the coconut-based food of South India, the variety of delicious dishes across the country is unmatched. However, this culinary variety is often not reflected in the in-flight meals, which are typically limited to basic and monotonous options. Recently, Radhika Gupta, Managing Director and CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, reiterated a similar sentiment on X (formerly Twitter). She shared a note expressing her disappointment with the “boxed food” served during flights, particularly highlighting the bland sandwiches offered for breakfast.
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Urging Indian airlines to be more “creative”, Radhika Gupta wrote, “I call for an end to airlines and packaged food makers serving two pieces of bread stuffed with paneer and coleslaw (vegetarian sandwiches) in the name of breakfast. This is India, not the West. We have great breakfast recipes across the country – parathas, idlis, dhoklas and countless others – that are healthy, tasty, economical and last a long time. Our mothers make the best takeaway paratha rolls with leftover vegetables that are so delicious. Please be creative. Save us from sandwiches. We can do better than this.”
I am demanding a ban on those airlines and packaged food manufacturing companies who serve two pieces of bread filled with cheese and coleslaw (vegetarian sandwich) in the name of breakfast.
This is India, not the West. We have the best breakfasts from all over the country – parathas, idlis, dhoklas,…
– Radhika Gupta (@iRadhikaGupta) September 21, 2024
Needless to say, Radhika Gupta’s post gave rise to discussions on the micro-blogging platform. Agreeing with her, a user commented, “Cold wet crap that sticks to your mouth, it’s so dry. Don’t know why roti behaves like it’s in the middle of that desert and our mouth is the oasis it has found.”
Cold wet crap that sticks to the top of your mouth, it’s so dry! I don’t know why bread acts like it’s in the middle of that desert and our mouth is the oasis it found.
— z_aqua (@z_aqua_) September 21, 2024
“Most airplane food tastes like hot plastic. There’s a huge market out there for anyone who can creatively solve this problem,” said another.
Most food on airplanes tastes like hot plastic. There’s a huge market for anyone who can come up with a creative solution to this problem.
— Sushant Chaturvedi (@ShawshankOne) September 21, 2024
“There are countless dry food items available in every state across the country, we can taste them and enjoy them. No one serves healthy food, millets or ethnic food. Say no to sandwiches, puffs, pastries,” said one person.
There are countless dry foods available from every state across the country, we can taste them and enjoy them. No one serves healthy food, millets or ethnic food! Say no to sandwiches, puffs, pastries please ????????????????
— Suchitra Ella (@SuchitraElla) September 21, 2024
Listing more breakfast options, a foodie wrote, “Upma/Poha/Vada/Parathas/Idli – like 100 options. These sandwiches are brutal.”
Upma/Poha/Vada/Parathas/Idli – like 100 options. These sandwiches are so brutal.
— VirtualSid (@VirtualSid) September 21, 2024
Someone else highlighted the delicious food served by another Indian airline. “I totally agree that Indian chefs can definitely bring creative and healthy changes to airline food. And it is a work in progress.. This was provided by Air Vistara,” read their comment.
I completely agree that Indian chefs can definitely bring creative and healthy changes to airline food. And work is underway in this direction. @airvistara pic.twitter.com/VxqF6gWA2L
– Dietitian Ujjwala (@ujjwalabaxi) September 21, 2024
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Do you also agree with Radhika Gupta’s claim?