In Memory Of The Humble Poha

Poha ,the staple breakfast of indore and indorians.One thing i will always remember is, how this city wakes up to the aroma of poha-jalebi every single day.It was more special for us guys at SDBCT, because it was the only decent stuff offered at our earlier 'canteen'.Correction-it was not just decent,it was really good.The aroma of freshly prepared(we like to think so atleast!) poha greeted us every morning(ok,ok..not every ..but whenever we chose to attend college).Everybody had their different take on eating 'the dish'.Some liked it with 'senv'(another indori staple,u find it even in sandwiches!!),and chopped onion, oodles of masala on top,the works!Then with the very small poha plate and almost 7,8 spoons in it ,we would finally dig in!I guess everybody managed just about a spoonful.All of us looked forward to the poha parties with delight.And yes ,like weather,the poha had by us that day was a matter of discussion("yaar,aaj poha mast bana tha/aaj poha soggy tha").Even with the slow service and the rude 'bhaiyya' at the poha counter,we anled our way through, day after day,for alost three and a half years,to get the coveted poha plate!But now things have changed....We are no longer greeted by the poha smell every morning as we climb up to our respective floors.The reason being 'The New Canteen'! It was introduced recently,complete with electronic display,and a entirely new menu.The menu boasts of indian,chinese,japanese and what not! well, the 'proverbial poha' is still there but it faces stiff competition from the variety of choices.And i think it's fighting a loosing battle.So the humble poha parties have now been replaced by the 'new and improved' dishes.But i miss the poha,so do many others,i am guessing,especially people in thei final sem.A lot of our memories include our group fighting over a small plate of poha.Well i will always miss our times together when we shared jokes, gossipped, laughed ,or simply bitched about the system,over endless poha plates!finally, Long Live The POHA !
-Neha Pandit