Blurring barriers over food

For some it was bonding over food, for others it was striking a chord over ideology as the ‘Mere Ghar Aake Toh Dekho’ campaign (Visit My Home, Be My Guest) kicked off in the city.
The nationwide campaign, launched by voluntary organisations on Independence Day, hopes to foster unity and inclusiveness. At a home tucked away in bylanes of Malkajgiri, Chrysolyte Sanamanda, a 32-year-old Dalit Christian shared a meal with 57-yearold atheist Rajendra Prasad.Chrysolyte couldn’t stop wondering how her guest Rajendra, a Brahmin, was having non-veg food.
“When did you start eating chicken? Didn’t your parents scold you,” she asked. Rajendra responded, “Some friends got it to school. It wasn’t like an event to tell my parents. I just ate and never really stopped.” For his part, Rajendra, who had read Chrysolyte’s journey from IIM Calcutta to becoming a young founder of an NGO, was also curious about her life and struggles.
“Growing up in a house with brothers, I faced some discrimination for being a girl. Later, I faced discrimination in college due to my caste.” Sharing his journey, Rajendra said, “I took part in protests opposing reservations, but here I am staunchly believing I was wrong back then.”
Voicing concern on the current situation in society, he added: “I believe intolerance is rising due to ignorance and there’s a need to bridge the gulf.” In Somajiguda, interfaith couple Fareesa Khan and Avinash Chimote held an open house with common friends over Dakhani food at their residence. Some guests were from Gujarat, some from Punjab, others from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and AP, with most having little in common.
“I knew food would be a good way to bring diverse people together. While growing up, I went to gurudwaras, mandirs and churches as my father was in the Army. I knew more shlokas than duas, but now to even talk about religion I need to think twice. With some effort, healthy conversations must resume and good food is the cue,” said Fareesa, who runs the popular group ‘Foodies in Hyderabad ’ on Facebook. She and her family hope to take this tradition forward till Republic Day next year. Nehmat, a social worker, also joined the campaign and was pleasantly surprised by the warm reception at a home at Bansilalpet.
She said as a Muslim, she rarely ventured beyond her own community. “I was scared to come here, that’s why I asked my brother to accompany me,” she added. Speaking on how the campaign helped assuage fears, Nehmat said, “It did not feel any different while venturing through the lanes. My perception has changed.”
She was part of a group of social workers who visited houses of domestic workers, tailors, plumbers, and auto drivers. Among them, Anuradha Moturu, a tailor, was initially hesitant to invite guests to her modest home, but was later elated. “We are Dalits and not well off. My husband works as a plumber.
So, we often face discrimination. People think twice about interacting with us,” added Anuradha, who was happy about Nehmat’s visit. Her guests, including social workers Ambika, Sujatha C, Shivrani, N Allaiyha, and K Navneeta, sat on the floor for a heartwarming tea session.