Hyderabad: Can't afford mutton, but don't want chicken

Hyderabad : Despite State government's effort to quell the rumours of COVID-19 (novel corona virus) with regard to chicken and fish, by organising food festivals on the banks of Hussain Sagar lake, the bruit has already done the damage, impacting not only household consumption, but increasing the dilemma of marriage parties in deciding the menu for the evening feast.

Traditionally, in Hyderabad, a variety of dishes made of chicken have served as the important constituent for sumptuous dinner. But in the recent days either the variety has been reduced to a couple of varieties or completely vanished from the tables. Now, the marriage parties engaged in organising the feast are in a dilemma 'Chicken Khanaisakte – Mutton Lanaisakte' (chicken can't be eaten - mutton can't be afforded).

Even if the hosts don't believe in floating rumours on social media, the guest may not be ready to munch on the chicken dish for fear of risking disease. With the Mutton prices beyond the reach of common man touching Rs 600 per kg, the middle-class cannot afford to arrange variety of dishes, other than Biryani. Meanwhile the millionaires are going for variety of mutton dishes without worrying about the increased budget. On the other hand there are instances where poor and lower middle class are now offering beef items to avoid any discomfort to the visiting guests. "As now rumours are afloat, our guests may not eat either chicken or mutton, so we decided to go for beef items in the menu," said Farzana, mother a bride from Rajendranagar.

Murghi badnaam hui

In spite of the fact that the live bird is available just for Rs 50, the traders are worried about their stock piling up at different levels from farm to retail shop. They have pointed out that the average weight of bird has now gone up to 4 kg on an average, as people rarely going for chicken and stock piling up. "Our sales have hit harder this time upto 50 percent. The stock is piling up at different levels, after rumours spread on social media," said Mahboob, a retailer from First Lancer at Masabtank.

Government awareness programme had limited effect

In the recently organised food festival by National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) in coordination with different Associations, scores of Ministers demonstrated by eating chicken items to allay apprehensions. Those who attended the programme felt that that the awareness generation was limited to certain sections of the society. But the message failed to reach the communities, in whose parties non-veg is preferred. "When the complete industry is shaken at different levels, this message that chicken does not carry any virus should have been load and clear. They could have organised similar programme of free feast at other locations of the City by inviting Home Minister, Md Mahmood Ali or actors from Deccanwood (Deccani film industry)," said Ilyas Shamshi, chairman, Team NGOs India. 

Marriage parties face dilemma over dishes to be served in wake of Covid 19

Even if hosts don't believe in floating rumours on social media, guests do

Marriage parties engaged in organising feasts are in a dilemma – 'Chicken Khanaisakte – Mutton Lanaisakte' (chicken can't be eaten - mutton can't be afforded). Even if the hosts don't believe in floating rumours on social media, the guest may not be ready to munch on the chicken dish for fear of risking disease. With the mutton prices beyond the reach of common man touching Rs 600 per kg, the middle-class cannot afford to arrange variety of dishes, other than Biryani