How many luchis can you roll in a minute? Men, women and children made a beeline to BE 118 to join a contest and find out. The game was organised by the BE (East) ladies team that conducted the puja at the venue on Saptami morning.
Ananya Dey, a Class XI student of Salt Lake School, was using the rolling pin for the first time that day. “I have never cooked before but have seen my mother at it. The contest looked like fun so I took part,” laughed the girl who managed to roll four luchis.
There were more than 12 participants and the senior-most was 80-year-old Asit Kumar Mukherjee. “I used to stay in Patna by myself for work and used to cook. The experience helped me today, although I didn’t expect to roll six luchis,” laughed the resident.
Sandip Saha was one of the most excited participants. “I shall roll club kachoris (that are much smaller in size than luchis)! That’s how I like them,” laughed Saha, as he practised using the rolling pin on an empty base before the event. “This laughter and fun are what matters. It is about enjoying oneself,” said the man who rolled four regular luchis eventually.
His wife Shibani Saha was declared the winner after rolling out nine luchis in 60 seconds. “I run a food take away service so have lots of experience in this,” she smiled. “I enjoy cooking and have learnt everything after marriage, including making luchis perfectly round in shape.”
The same dough was being reused by the competitors so no luchi was fried or consumed after the event. Revellers, however, changed gears and lined up for a conchshell-blowing competition thereafter.
Dipali Kundu ended at second spot by blowing the conch for 21.87 seconds. “I hadn’t put in any extra practice but I blow it every evening as it is,” she said. “I was happy to learn that as I was blowing conch today bhog was being offered to the goddess.”
Ashalata Dey was declared winner with a timing of 30.93 seconds.
“Initially we had considered a phuchka-eating contest but this is our first year and we have a tight budget, so we changed it to luchi-rolling and conchshell-blowing. The idea was to bring everyone together to have fun, “ said Smita Piplai, an organising member.
