My harried neighbour is concerned how FDI in retail will affect his early morning sojourns to the local market. Vegetables, he pointed out can still be bought fresh from retail stores; but what about fish, he asked.
The aquatic animal which has attained iconic status in Bengali cuisine, and is relished, (quite literally so) 'to the bone' is actually proving to be the real 'bone of contention' for the true-blue Bengali.
Fish, is a sacred subject among Bengalis -- as sacred as that talisman or good-luck charm that he fervently swears by! So you can well imagine the dilemma and distress, the very thought of having to buy fish from an air-conditioned store is causing him. Fish, after-all is to be bought from local markets -- with its colour, weight, lustre and 'smile' providing appropriate cues of its freshness. Which therefore also means that the discerning Bengali would like to 'touch, feel...and smell' the fish during such a purchase...and yes, getting his hands 'dirty' is also part of this skilled process!
Will the Bengali therefore get a similar experience at a retail store while selecting the limbless piscean delight, is the grave question bothering many Bengalis, including my next-door neighbour. Hopefully it won't be a case of a 'fish out of water'-- the true-blue Bengali who might find himself completely ill-at-ease in such 'antiseptic' environments while selecting his favourite meal of the day.
The aquatic animal which has attained iconic status in Bengali cuisine, and is relished, (quite literally so) 'to the bone' is actually proving to be the real 'bone of contention' for the true-blue Bengali.
Fish, is a sacred subject among Bengalis -- as sacred as that talisman or good-luck charm that he fervently swears by! So you can well imagine the dilemma and distress, the very thought of having to buy fish from an air-conditioned store is causing him. Fish, after-all is to be bought from local markets -- with its colour, weight, lustre and 'smile' providing appropriate cues of its freshness. Which therefore also means that the discerning Bengali would like to 'touch, feel...and smell' the fish during such a purchase...and yes, getting his hands 'dirty' is also part of this skilled process!
Will the Bengali therefore get a similar experience at a retail store while selecting the limbless piscean delight, is the grave question bothering many Bengalis, including my next-door neighbour. Hopefully it won't be a case of a 'fish out of water'-- the true-blue Bengali who might find himself completely ill-at-ease in such 'antiseptic' environments while selecting his favourite meal of the day.
