THE PANI PURI PHENOMENON

Before I start, let me remind you all that I am a panipuri-holic. BIG TIME! Kolkata was where this addiction started and it has continued, age doing no good in ridding me of the addiction. I for one make it a point to try out pani puri at every city/town/village I have been to(ok that was a bit of an exaggeration. I haven’t really been to any village yet that serves pani puri. B)) I guess Moving back to our ancestral house in sowcarpet was a blessing in disguise because back then you could get QUALITY pani puris only here.

My pani puri mate through all these years has mostly been my cousin who is two summers younger than me. After we joined college, we’ve not been able to spend much time together but whenever we do(mostly for shopping B-)), we make it a point to have a plate of pani puri along the way. Today was no different. Having made our customary pani puri pit stop, we headed off along MINT STREET.

MINT STREET. Interesting name. History books say the street was so named because of the presence of presses along this street where money was MINTed back during the post independence area(or was it the british era? Am not too sure. Besides, I was never good with history anyway :P). But now, considering the amount of chat shops on this road and taking into account that whatever be the dish, the main ingredient happens to be mint chutney, I guess the place couldn’t have been more appropriately named. B-)

Which brings me to my point.5 years back, the nearest pani puri shop was a 15 mins walk from my place. Now, there is a minimum of two in every street. And believe me, am not exaggerating! Take the case of mint street. I did a little survey today of the pani puri shops along mint street and the figures are quiet stunning. There are a total of 27 shops selling pani puri along a 400m stretch! The numbers are approximate, cos, What the heck, the count might have increased as I type this post. :P

What makes these shops tick u ask? It might have something to do with the steady growth of the north Indian population here in namba chennai. It might have something to do with the Chennai people becoming more OPEN to north Indian food and customs. Or it might simply have to do with the fact that pani puris are SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE!

Whatever be the case, recession or ‘End of the world’, as long as its sowcarpet or kilpauk, the pani puri phenomenon will keep going strong. If ever you plan on becoming an entrepreneur in the future(like that kid in the CYCLE REPAIR SHOP ad ;)), try opening a pani puri shop. Small investments, big rewards guaranteed. :P

Until next time,

Keep smiling,

ADIOS!