Soumi Goswami
Pampering a kid in a Bengali home is directly proportional to feeding. Confused? Well, all Bengali kids have one thing in common while growing up. It is the way they are fed. We are believed to be smarter by our parents in all of the fields except eating on our own. And no matter how much the kid eats on their own, a mother is always doubtful if the kid is full. Unless the kid is fed by the mother, thammi, pishi, or kaki herself.
Feeders are those, who take up the most dangerous hustle day in and day out, to make sure the kid is fed well. Usually a mother, grandmother, or sometimes an aunt. The main job is to sit with the plate full of rice more than the appetite of the kid, fish, and boiled aloo. Bengalis fancy potato. Hence, to make sure, the kids also look as healthy as a potato, aloo sheddo is a must.
The next thing is, making small potions in the name of baba, kaka, Mashi, pishi, cat, dog, Bhola, and so on. Mind you- one round of feeding may go on from 45 to 90 mins. Given the habits of the child. Mostly the overfeeding causes the kid to blot and keep the bite-size of food in the mouth for longer. So, now and then, there comes the sound from the mother, ‘Chew your food’, and goes one bite down.
The kid who also goes through this ordeal is the most loved and overlooked fellow. No matter if his little tummy is full or bloated, doesn’t have an inch of space, he has to finish all the food on the plate. This kid is so vulnerable that none of his pleas is heard. If he says, he is full, the mother says, he doesn’t understand. Seriously? His tummy is crying for help, and he doesn’t understand?
When it comes to eating out or attending a party, then the scenario is just miserable. Because this kid of house is fed properly before going out. He is then strictly told to not eat anything outside. At the party, the parents only force them to try out some snacks. Finally, after coming home, the kid is served the night meal. Because he has not ‘eaten’ anything.
This is exactly how Bengalis also stuff their tiffins with Kali puja Khichdi. But that’s in our next article for another laugh!
