Khichdi row: Only to set Guinness record, says Harsimrat Kaur Badal

Union Cabinet Minister of Food Processing Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Thursday swept in to dispel the rumours and said that Khichdi is not being declared as the national dish but to set Guinness record.

Speaking to ANI, Badal said, "The khichdi row is not about making it the national food but setting a Guinness record. If you think of a dish which is consumed by all in India, the first thing that comes to your mind is 'Khichdi'."

"Worldwide people are craving for organic food in terms of wellness and health. But we Indian know how healthy Khichdi is. Our intention on World Food Day was this only. This way, the name of our grains and dishes will become famous worldwide," she said.

Earlier in the day, even before the clarification, what ensued on Twitter was nothing short of an unadulterated depiction of how Khichdi unifies the Indians across the country.

Twitter simmered with reactions to preliminary reports and #Khichdi began trending.

One user said, "Khichdi to be National Dish. Why? Is the nation ill??" while another joked, "In a world of #Biryani be someone's #khichdi"

One of the users had a pertinent question to ask: "Do I have to stand up when I eat khichdi now that it is a national dish?"

While some suggested: "If Khichdi is being accorded the status of National Food, then Ghee, Dahi, Papad and Achaar should immediately be declared National Friends."

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor will be attempting to create a World Record by cooking 800 kg of Khichdi on November 4 at the India Gate Lawns, on one of the days during the three-day-long 'World Food India' to be organised by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.