Congo diary: Food for thought

No trip can be complete without food and prayers. In Congo, I decided to visit the Army canteen in Goma. I was surprised to find out that every edible item on the plate is outsourced from multiple parts of the world. Since Indian Army is part of the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Congo, they also receive the standard issue as procurement is done through agencies associated with the United Nations.

For example, Jasmine rice comes from Vietnam, Basmati from Pakistan, milk from Spain and ice cream is procured from Italy.

I was surprised to find out that every edible item on the plate is outsourced from multiple parts of the world. (WION)

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But what remains in high demand in the Indian units is spices and specially garam masala and it is ensured that its stock never runs out. It is even more important to keep a six-month stock of Indian spices as the local market is non-existent and Indian taste buds and garam masala today are inseparable for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

Apart from the food, even the prayer room was a delight. It was soothing enough to listen to the Krishna bhajans when you are thousands of kilometres away from your country but what caught my eye was that every religious motif associated with India was depicted inside the prayer room. I saw Saraswati in all her majesty with Jesus side by side. The picture Guru Nanak adorned the wall while the sanctum sanctorum had all the principal Hindu deities.

The sanctum sanctorum had all the principal Hindu deities. (WION)

I found the approach of the Indian Army towards religious sentiments liberal and fresh.

Apart from the food, even the prayer room was a delight. (WION)

I don’t know how the 'neo-nationalists' will absorb Indian Army's worldview of religion which is not married to one cultural ethos? How will they reconcile to the fact that the Army's nationalism is not married to one religious-cultural ethos unlike today’s neo born 'rashtrawadis'. The lesson is that one can be patriotic and still be accommodating towards every religion and creed living in India and our army is a shining example of it.