What fascinates one are the food habits of the leaders of our country. One of them is the newly-elected President of India, Droupadi Murmu. Belonging to the lesser-explored region of the country, the new President follows a very healthy and natural diet that involves the local produce. Given her Odia origin, it is natural that she has a close connection with the cuisine of this region and enjoys several of its delicacies.
The second female President after Pratibha Patil, Droupadi swore in office on July 25 this year, and there have been several talks around her lifestyle and daily habits. The lady President is believed to have turned vegetarian in 2006. Ever since then she has been following a Sattvic diet. For the uninitiated, this type of diet is based on Ayurveda and yogic qualities. With an emphasis on fresh food and nutrition, this diet involves those foods that are high in energy and nutrients.
Freshly-prepared vegetables are preferred and the meals are usually light and healthy. Those who follow this vegetarian diet, generally eat seasonal fruits and vegetables. This is in sync with the tribal practices where people depend on local produce and avoid fried and processed foods. While not much is known about her dietary habits, the Odia cuisine seems to be enjoyed by the new President.
According to a report by a leading media publication, Droupadi likes to eat Pakhala Bhaat. This is one of her favourite foods from the Odia cuisine. The 64-year-old President follows a very simple and basic diet and is an ardent follower of Hinduism. Based on her beliefs and simplistic choices, Droupadi likes to eat Pakhala. For the unversed, it is a watery dish that is part of Odisha’s local cuisine. A combination of rice and water, the cooked rice is dipped in a liquid called Torani. A popular summer treat, this refreshing dish is also eaten in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, and Bengal.
Pakhala
While the Pakhala can be made in a variety of ways, like with dahi, it is the water-based dish that is the President’s favourite treat. Droupadi loves indulging in simple food and believes in living a healthy lifestyle with a basic Sattvic diet.
