Published Mar 31, 2026 | 3:32 PM ⚊ Updated Mar 31, 2026 | 3:32 PM
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy and other leaders having food in the Assembly.
It was a rare and rather theatrical sight at the Telangana Assembly’s central hall on the last day of the budget session of the Assembly on Monday, 30 March. It could easily be mistaken for a food festival rather than a legislators’ gathering.
At the grand circular table sat Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, not with files or policy notes, but with a plate of what appeared to be the star attraction of the day: Fine rice. With the enthusiasm of a long-lost foodie, he carefully mixed the rice with an array of delicate curries and, using his hand, made large “muddalu” (lump) and kept transporting them to his hungry mouth.
Joining him in this culinary celebration were host N Uttam Kumar Reddy, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, Munugode MLA and Congress gadfly Komatireddy Rajagopal Reddy, and Legislative Council Chairman Gutha Sukhender Reddy. They all seemed committed to the noble cause of “taste testing.” Forks and spoons were in full swing as generous portions of food made their way from plates to mouths.
The expressions on their faces? Pure bliss — the kind usually reserved for discovering hidden treasure or hearing unexpected election results as they did in December 2023. Each bite seemed to confirm that this was not just rice — it was an experience.
The occasion, of course, added to the excitement. Uttam Kumar Reddy had hosted this feast to mark the first anniversary of introducing fine rice through the Public Distribution System (PDS).
The Congress, understandably, has been patting itself on the back for replacing the much-maligned coarse rice, long accused of being better suited for dosa batter or cross-border diversion than for actual consumption.
For years, the humble ration card holder had a complicated relationship with PDS rice. It was cheap, yes — but also frequently redirected to restaurants or mysteriously “migrating” out of the state. Eating it was less of a meal and more of a test of resilience.
However, now, the narrative has changed. Fine rice has entered the scene, and if the expressions at this elite lunch table were anything to go by, it has apparently ushered in a golden age of gastronomic satisfaction.
Watching the leaders relish their meal with near-poetic delight, one couldn’t help but wonder: Was it truly the rice that sparked such joy, or the expertly prepared curries accompanying it? After all, when you have gourmet dishes, elegant settings, and attentive service, even plain rice might feel like a five-star experience.
And that brings us to the million-dollar question — are ration card holders across the state experiencing the same level of bliss? Are they, too, closing their eyes in delight with every bite, transported into culinary heaven?
As the last spoonfuls were savoured and the plates cleared, one question lingered longer than the aroma of the curries: Was the lunch truly a triumph of fine rice, or just a triumph of fine dining? Because sometimes, it’s not just what’s on the plate… It’s everything around it that makes it taste better.
Unlike the distinguished diners in the central hall of the Assembly, the average beneficiary may not have access to curated menus, master chefs, or plush surroundings. Their dining table will have the bare minimum: One curry, one dal, and a little rasam. How would fine rice taste then?
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
