To be a vegetarian in India is to be as inconspicuous as one in a million throng religious mela. But on the TWA flight from London to Chicago, I was the only vegetarian among the three hundred and odd passengers. To my chagrin, the passenger list didn’t show me as a vegetarian – a communication lapse on the part of my travel agent, and as a consequence I was served Chicken soup to begin my dinner. “Excuse me, miss,” I said to the air-hostess,” I am a strict vegetarian, not even eggs.” “Sorry,” she said and removed the bowl of soup swiftly, perhaps fearing my olfactory reactions. She was back in a few minutes with a tray of plums, peaches and apples. “Excuse me, miss,” I said again, “I love fruits but I am not a fruitarian.” Apparently, she didn’t seem to know, what a strict vegetarian would take other than fruits. Not to embarrass her any further I made myself clear, “Can you bring me some vegetable or tomato soup? Even some plain rice and yoghurt would do.” She looked at me for a while, a typical air-hostess smile beaming on her face, and asked, “Would you like onion-soup?” Now my embarrassment was at its peak. Returning a smile for a smile and plucking some courage I said, “Normally, I wouldn’t mind at all, but today is a Saturday and as an orthodox Hindu I desist from onions on Saturdays.” The air-hostess did seem to be at her wits’ end but kept her cool. Soon however, I was through a “shudh” vegetarian meal.
26/01/14 V Rajaraman/Free Press Journal
To Read the News in full at Source, Click the Headline
26/01/14 V Rajaraman/Free Press Journal
