Kolkata, Oct 22 – Ahead of the popular Bengali festival Bhai Dooj – often called Bhai Phota – food prices in Kolkata’s street markets have surged, leaving many sisters scrambling to plan their celebratory meals.
Sisters perform the “tilak” ritual on their brothers and hope for long life, while brothers promise to protect them and bring back the finest gifts. A big part of the post‑tilak feast is a spread of fish, mutton and chicken, staples of Bengali home cooking.
But since Wednesday, the cost of these key ingredients has jumped sharply. Hilsa fish, a favorite of Bengali cooks, can now run about ₹1,800 per kilogram. Mutton is trading around ₹980 a kilogram, and chicken is about ₹250. Even the vegetable aisle has seen a rise: tomatoes are ₹80 a kilogram and brinjal between ₹80‑₹100. Green chillies hit ₹150 a kilogram, and cauliflower sells for roughly ₹60 per piece. Potatoes remain the only steadier option at about ₹22 a kilogram.
Sweets, another beloved part of the Bhai Dooj spread, have climbed 10‑15 % above normal prices since Wednesday. These hikes put a dent in the dishes many middle‑class families plan for the occasion.
While nieces and sisters still gather to celebrate, the cost pressures mean some will trim their menus. The culinary plans for Bhai Dooj are re‑examining how to keep harmony in both hearts and budgets in Kolkata’s bustling retail market.
Source: ianslive
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