There was a time when Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik spoke no Oriya, was an urban sophisticate and was known for his trendy lifestyle in New York. But nowadays he is quick to recommend even the simple rice dish pakhal.
In the capital recently for the internal security conclave, Patnaik could not help talking about his love for pakhal, rice cooked and soaked in water, which is very popular in Orissa. He urged fellow scribes from the state not to forget their ‘Oriya culture” while staying in the capital and promised to serve them up the traditional Oriya dish next time around.
After a rather heated discussion on the rising Maoist problem in his state, many realised why Patnaik was referring to pakhal. It is normally eaten on hot summer days – and helps avoid heat strokes!
