I have concluded. The best way to introduce foreigners, especially celebs, to Mumbai is by feeding them Vada Pav. Either that or take them to see the Dharavi slums. It’s like a duty prescribed by fashion and custom in the protocol guides for Indian hosts to do. The blue tick on their city itinerary is planned for the visitor from abroad. The unknowing foreigner is given to understand, “You have not lived if you have not eaten Vada Pav or seen Dharavi when in Mumbai.” This week it was Apple CEO Tim Cook’s turn. In India to launch the American multinational technology company’s first two retail stores in Mumbai and Delhi, Cook was given a Vada Pav treat by Bollywood’s poster girl Madhuri Dixit. “Can’t think of a better welcome to Mumbai,” she tweeted excitedly. I can understand that. Vada Pav is the go-to snack of the common man. Popularly and intrinsically a part of Mumbai. Like Subs and Burgers are to America. Or Sandwiches and Pizza. And Vada Pav is delicious, too.
However, the place to eat is not some specialty restaurant like what Madhuri took Cook to. She should have taken him to a streetside vendor, preferably outside a railway station, where the Vada Pav is 10 rupees. And where it would be made right before the American captain of industry. The patty of mashed potato is first mixed with finely chopped onion, green chili, coriander, and the vendor’s secret spice, then dipped in a chickpea batter and plunged into a cauldron of oil that keeps bubbling through the day. After tossing and turning the Vada with a spatula a couple of times, the vendor would scoop it into a Pav that had been slit in half, slathered with green chili and coriander chutney, and pack it for cooking in a newspaper along with garlic chutney powder and two fried green chilies. Out of gratitude for this Mumbai gastronomic experience, Cook could offer to take Madhuri for a Hot Dog, Hamburger, Pizza, or Burrito on the streets of California next time she is in the US, gallantly leaving the choice to her.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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