Journey of a humble bulb to most menacing
avatar!
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Onions-The New Turmoil! |
Bogging down! Bogged down! Bogged
down all the way should be the new jingle instead of London Bridge is falling
down! This summer is already in news for the toughest times ever witnessed and
horrified with horrendous global issues like Inflation! Recession! Money
laundering and hoarding of essential commodities, unemployment blues and
list goes on and
on….. Beyond the imagination of a common man. To rub salt on already increasing
wounds created by rising woes, it’s the increase in rates of the simple yet
humblest bulb-The Onions which has touched the tearful mark of Rs. 80 per KG
and Rs. 5200 per quintal! Shocking! True facto that this bulb which used to
bring tears on eyes when cut, but enhances power and taste of food is no longer
common man’s best friend.
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VARIETIES OF ONIONS |
One cannot completely ignore the
utility it creates as being ever used spice in any food,making it a vital,
trademark ingredient in kitchens and loved by leading chefs, homemakers and
even general public which is very hard to be replaced on platter with any other
spice, vegetables or even condiments used to salivate our taste buds in natural
kitchens specifically in world famous cuisines like ours adds to the misery.
One can leave the platter dry
without commodities like Carrots, Cauliflower or other vegetables, but without
Onions! Practically it’s impossible to manage general household or food. Such
is the menace that some have named it “Real
TEARJERKER”, “Menacing bulb”, “political
imbroglio”, “Golden vegetable/spice” and many more……. In fact according to
key sources compiled from leading newspaper dailies and potato, onion merchant
association, it’s one of the steepest hikes this satiating bulb, spice has ever
witnessed in last 3-4 years.
Illustration with startling facts to how humble bulb has created
havoc, fear in minds of GP:
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Menacing Avatar of Humble Bulbs-Onions |
v 2008-Onion, potato prices stood at just RS.55/-Only per Kg.
v2009 – Onion, Potato price decreased from Rs 55/-Only per Kg to Rs.
25-30/-Only per Kg.
v 2010- Again became dearer by RS.5-6 to end up at Rs 40-41/-only per
Kg.
v 2011- Saw a steep rise again as gold prices and became dearer again
by RS.7-8 to end up again crossing Rs.50/-only per Kg.
v 2012- Declined by Rs.5 to end up again at Rs.45/-only per Kg.
v 2013- Steepest hike of Rs.40 viz 10 times its normal hike pattern to
end up currently at Rs.80-82/-only per Kg and small and midsized onions saw an
overall hike of Rs 20-25/-only per Kg to end up at all time high of Rs
60-65/-only per Kg.
v The word ‘only’ describes
the callousness of our government, carefree attitude of general public as well
as our adjusting character towards government’s take on price hike. In fact issue
is so grave that “Onions” have also
been deemed to be more costlier than “King
of fruits Mangoes, Subtle fruit Apple and ripe Pomegranates” which bear
price tags of Rs 60-70-80 /-only per Kg and 4,000 per quintal compared to 5,200
per quintal.
v This crisis has hit the bulls eye at time when our current
government have passed FSB (Food
security bill) stating BPL (Below
Poverty Line) grocers would be eligible for Rs 1 per Kg and 35 Kg’s of rice,
wheat and other grains, essential pulses
at Rs 2 per Kg like whole green gram, yellow dal etc and coarse
cereals like Jowar, Bajra, ragi
being given at Rs. 3 per Kg almost neglecting other essential commodities like “Milk (Elixir of Life), Eggs, Green
chilies, spices, vegetables and even not sparing humble man’s best companions
Tea and coffee”. So what’s utility of FSB????
Just touted as a political framework or one amongst never fulfilled “Election Agenda” to fool one and all.
First fuel hike, then milk prices
shot to the fame, then it was the turn of gold and precious metals, then came the
news and specs targeted rupee’s downsize vs USD, then came brink on Onions,
Chilies, Milk and milk products and even transport and everything’s on a hike.
Economy in shambles and everybody like common man to agriculture farmers, business
traders, hoteliers, consumers are facing the heat & music of the price rise
except the top officials/bureaucrats.
Political imbroglio has grown
now with the opposition targeting the government and its action as usual under
the scanner. But the plight of people remains the same. However history sheater
state that if top officials/bureaucrats fear anything, it’s the might of this
bulb which has shown toppling of governments. Not a waste to call the
futuristic 2014 election as “Onion
Election”.
As usual the political bureaucrats have
put the blame game on plethora of issues right from:
Ø
Incessant
rains and floods everywhere to
Ø
Deflating
rupee concern as primary issue to
Ø
Rise in
transportation costs, export and import duties due to fuel hike.
Ø
Governmental
order as per Food Act to hike famer’s, agriculturists’ commission to 6%.
Ø
Recession
and hoarding of commodities by rich people for their self use.
Ø
Other
contributing factors.
Whatsoever the humble bulb has begun its descent and is source of new
headache and menace for all as nothing right can be expected from our top
officials or elected representatives. What can be expected when they don’t even
care for GOD! As usual we have to silently bore the wrath of all issues! Result
household expenses touching new highs of Rs. 3,500-Rs 6,000/-only amongst which
Rs.1, 000-1,500/-only goes as food expenses itself, savings next to null,
mounting pressures, tensions both work as well as family wise, no guarantee or
security of jobs even in government jobs and more.
Ho ho ho. Can’t just end my laughing and want to put brakes on my thoughts. Well time will come when onions
and other vegetables and commodities themselves might come forward to put an
end to rising issues. Till that time it’s adieu Onions! Though it remains far
too distinct alternative as without Onions no flavor can be added to food
course.
Lastly a message to
Government:-
Truly Onions are in their utmost menacing form and hope Government will do
their homework before the “BIG DADDY OF 2014 ELECTIONS”. Otherwise they know it
would be CURTAINS DOWN!