India's actual beef is right now its boiling pulses crisis
Taking the old adage, "Ghar ki murgi dal barabar" (Self possessions are always undermined and other's possessions seem better) to an absurd and literal level, the cost of toor dal (pigeon peas split and cleaned) today is actually equivalent to the cost of a one kilo of chicken in the open market.
Currently going at a retail price of Rs 180-200,the days when dal chawal (dal and rice) were the cheapest most unglamorous food options may be blowing in the wind. Both urad (black gram) and moong (green gram) dal are close contenders for topping the price charts with urad selling at Rs 180 and moong at Rs 130. Predictions have it that the prices are set to rise further.
Unaffordable
In fact it is a joke that I had shared with friends at the recently concluded India Fashion Week) that these days the yellow dal that that is called toor may soon be competing with designer jewelry - and the boho-chic of Delhi's glitterati may turn up at fashion week wearing necklaces, earrings and bracelets festooned or encrusted with dal! Eccentric? You tell me.
It is common knowledge that onions are unaffordable, now so is dal. You can be sure that the square meal that we often hear of does not consist of dal or onions these days.
I am reminded of the endless jokes about the Russians and their potatoes, but pretty soon we Indians will also be cracking similar ditties if these circumstances continue: What did the Indian do when he found a kilo of toor dal? He threw a party! And when he found a whole sack? He opened a restaurant!
However jokes aside, it is a serious issue that needs to be immediately addressed, because dal is the principle source of protein in a vegetarian diet and if a majority of middle class and lower middle class Indians will soon find it unaffordable, then we can look forward to more hospital beds being jostled over and more cases of various ailments that are the result of low immunity and malnourishment.
As it stands we hold the "distinction" of being one of the highest-ranking countries in the world for the number of children suffering from malnutrition.
According to the Global Nutrition Report, it has been estimated that one in every three persons in the world is said to be malnourished. This could mean that they are either stunted in growth, underweight or even in some instances - obese. It simply means that we are not eating right and the reason is quite clear: All foods that are good and nutritious are overpriced and way out of the reach of the common man- whether it is fruits, green vegetables and now add to the list - pulses and legumes.
Capitalism
It might soon be cheaper to saunter down to McDonald's and munch on a McAloo Tikki Burger than to actually cook something at home. Which is quite frankly, exactly what the global capitalists want.
So while urban advertising is speaking to a tiny segment of Indians to become Big Basketeers or Grofers (shopping for veggies and fruits online that brings it to your doorstep all in sealed packages) a majority, and this is indeed a vast majority, cannot even afford to buy basic food grains from the local kirana store.
Population
The achhe din seems to be coming only for those who can click a mouse or are on the worldwide web. The economic growth that we are talking about is disproportionate and leaves out a majority of India's population.
I will leave you with this thought, when an agrarian economy has to import its lentils and foodgrains, it's time to wake up and smell the coffee. What kind of country are we handing over to our children, and the next generation of young Indians, if we cannot afford to provide the basics?