Competitors at the curd-eating competition in Patna on Tuesday. Picture by Deepak Kumar

Patna, Jan. 18: Eating large quantities of curd on a winter morning may seem strange to many. But the participants at the Sudha Dahi Khao, Inam Pao Pratiyogita, organised by Patna Dairy today on the premises of Feeder Balancing Dairy in Phulwarisharif, threw inhibitions to the wind.

The competitors not only enrolled enthusiastically for the curd-eating competition, they also fought till their last breath to win.

In fact so many took part that even the organisers were taken aback.

“Around 650 contestants took part in the competition. Last year, there were only 30. We are overwhelmed by the response,” Sudhir Kumar Singh, the managing director of Sudha Patna Dairy Project, told The Telegraph.

The registration for the competition had been open for the past three days but most of them turned up this morning to get their names registered.

Competitors could register in men’s and women’s categories and there was tough competition in both.

There was no unwillingness among the participants and most of them plunged in with their hands, scooping up the curd and licking it off in a hurry.

Experience trumped youth, winning in most of the rounds.

“I have 25 years of experience. I can consume about two-and-a-half kg of curd at one go,” said 55-year-old Ramakant Thakur, chairman of the minor irrigation department. Thakur had stood third in the competition last year.

Thakur added: “The youth are addicted and habituated to fast food. We used to have many such competitions when we were young. I am glad that this is back. I am really enjoying myself.”

Virendra Jha (42) beat his competitors by eating nine cups, each weighing 400gms, of curd.

In the women’s category, 20-year-old Tulika Kumari had to gulp down 1.8kg of curd to win.

“I can still eat more. Passion and madness helped me win,” said Kumari.

Some competitors planned intricate strategies to win the competition.

“Like any other competition, one needs to plan things out. First, one must not rush or panic. Then, one must perform a few warm up exercises before taking the plunge. Also, one must keep having salt with curd to not feel sick,” said Subesh Kumar, a contestant.

Pushpa Singh, one of the judges, said: “Such competitions are a lot of fun but one must be careful. Participants often forget their limitations and end up getting sick.”

The organisers said they wanted to respect the ancient tradition of eating dahi-chura in Bihar through the competition.