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Of course yes, the whole world knows what a rainbow is. ‘Do you know what primary colors are’? Art teacher (Sonam Sherpa) asked me when I was in class five. I reckon those days, no burden, nothing to do, just time pass. Just play and read (not all the time). Life was full of excitement; but something was there which haunted me badly in those days. It was an economic burden to my parents…  

I replied immediately: Blue, red and yellow.  The whole world is colorful because of these three primary colors.  All other colors, which we find in nature, are the gift of them (primary colors).  

Let us open the window, see outside or go upstairs at the rooftop (terrace), or go down to the ground (garden may be). Look up, high in the sky, what do we find? A glance of clear blue sky with its depth: Floating cotton white clouds. Anything more can we see?  Yes, sometimes birds fly, another man made things (airplanes). What a peculiar creation! Blue, deep and calm. If you put down your eyes just in front of you, an age-old green tree stands full of historical facts.  In fact, the hills are alive because of the green.  The ground is matted with green carpet of meadows where cattle graze.

If you wake up early in the morning before dawn, keep your eyes toward the eastern sky, there you find Dog Star (Sirius), just above the colorful rays of the sun painted in the sky. Slowly and gradually, the sun appears shining from the horizon with glittering golden colors. But there is a saying in English ‘all that glitters is not gold’. Then what is it?  Something that is a thousand times more precious than gold. That’s beautiful nature. Beautiful morning, it is an orange too—a combination of red and yellow. There is a perfect color blend and balance in nature. Who is the great artist, the creator of this wonderful and colorful world?  Do you know?  Nobody knows, in fact, some may say there is supernatural power. What is that power? Where does it exist? It’s in heaven or hell? Is that God?  It’s too complex a question to answer. Exactly so, to me,  when we think of heaven we feel happy. It’s full of yellow—enchantment whereas hell is something dark, no progress, and the heart is full of jealousy, hatred, chaos and anxiety (like that of Nepali political system).  

One of my friends came rushing to me and said that he got the green signal from his lover. Green has a symbolic meaning. Every color has a symbolic meaning. We celebrate numerous festivals where Red has become the ‘role model’ color to express the meaning of every cultural trait.  

Children on Dec 25 night wait for an aged Santa Claus with a red suit having a silvery white bear as a gift of blessings. It is a colorful night of excitement and joy to the world of Christianity. 

In fact, nobody likes to live in a world without colors.  When we are sad there is supposed to be gray more than that gloomy dark color (maybe Hungarian poet’s gloomy Sunday). We can’t decolorize colors.  How to express feelings? It is easy for the artists. Abstract paintings are full of abstract feeling having vivid expressions. It studies the psychic behavior of human beings. So, it is color psychology or color phenomenology, which studies human behavior, aptitude, and so on. 

Color plays a vital role in the life of every individual. We say ‘black beauty’. Do you think black is beautiful?  Here comes the graceful girl; black may be graceful, fun loving but not beautiful! That’s what you think? She looks beautiful because of her white and rosy face, having a lean and thin body; what we call zero-size figures.  If a man (female too) is judged by color and race, what will be the condition of African countries? Among the flowers, the sunflower is quite big.  It is a yellow-colored flower, in great demand in the world market today.  It is not because of its color, nor because of oil preparation. 

“Sunflower” the greatest impressionist painting gift to the world by Vincent Van Gog. What can we give to others if anyone asks us? Van Gog gave his ear to his beloved, though she had just joked! He gave red to her. She was startled and confused and rejected his true, colorful love.  He later committed suicide; nonetheless, he was the world-renowned artist, who lives in the heart of scholars and artists around the world.  

‘What a sweet smile’ is the colorful expression of all young and old, hermit or professors, scientists or politicians, philosophers or doctors.  It is the greatest gift of nature to human beings. No other creature possesses the art of smiling. That’s why we are always full of colors and enchantment. Thus, we understand the language of smile; hence colors speak all languages.

‘I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki’ by Baek Sehee is less than 200 pages long. The chapters are short too. You will be able to read it in a single sitting. But you won’t be done with the book so soon. You will want to keep rereading passages and dipping in and out. I’m not someone who likes to underline and write in her books but my copy of ‘I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki’ is filled with scribbles and notes. I wanted to be reminded of some things over and over again.

Part memoir, part self-help, the book is a record of the therapy the author received for dysthymia, or persistent depressive disorder (a state of constant, light depression). Written by a young woman who is struggling through life, caught in a web of mood swings and ups and downs, the book is highly relatable and discusses fairly common issues like low self-esteem, jealousy, anger, etc. It also highlights how social media and society put pressure on us to conform—look a certain way, behave a certain way, etc—and how that can have a detrimental effect on our mental health.

Baek Sehee decided to open up her sessions to the world by writing a book because she wanted others who were going through the same problem as hers to know that they weren’t alone. Early on, in the introduction, she admits that the next book she writes might not be as honest but she will try to do everything she can to help those going through mental health issues.

Baek Sehee’s book quickly became a Korean bestseller. It was even recommended by a BTS member. Mental health problems are highly stigmatized in Korean society, despite highly stressful work and social environment being a leading cause of suicides among youths. This book sheds light on what it’s like living with mental health issues and how getting help can prevent problems from escalating. I Want to Die But ‘I Want to Eat Tteokbokki’ is an insightful and eye-opening take on the importance of acknowledging mental health conditions as any other health problem and how therapy can be a boon.

Memoir

I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki

Baek Sehee

Translated into English by Anton Hur

Published: 2018

Publisher: Bloomsbury

Pages: 194, Paperback

As a Brahmin from the hills, I was raised with certain dietary restrictions during certain holy days. Being told not to eat ‘impure stuff’ only fueled my curiosity and cravings for those forbidden foods. One such dish that I used to avoid as a Brahmin was Pani Roti.

However, as I delved deeper into the culinary world, I came to realize the significance and hidden treasures of Pani Roti. Many people jokingly referred to it as the ‘Bahun ko pasta’—the Brahmin version of pasta, made with vegetables but without garlic. Yet, as I expanded my knowledge of different cultures and cuisines, I discovered that Pani Roti was closely related to Thenthuk, a Tibetan hand-pulled noodle soup.

Pani Roti is primarily prepared during Ekadasi, the eleventh lunar day of each of the two lunar phases in a Vedic calendar month. On these days, fasting is observed, and food items like rice, dal, cereal grains, onion, and garlic are avoided. Some devotees consume only fruits or fast without consuming anything. In the hills of Nepal, where food scarcity has been a persistent issue, fasting is not mandatory, and Pani Roti is prepared on two significant Ekadashis called ‘Thuli Ekadashi,’ which includes Harishayani Ekadashi and Haribodhini Ekadashi.

The name ‘Pani Roti’ can be translated to ‘bread in water’ in English, but it goes beyond its simple literal meaning. Pani Roti is a traditional Nepali cuisine that is not only a simple dish but also a nutritious and flavorful one. Unlike many festival dishes that require several accompanying dishes, Pani Roti stands as a complete and satisfying meal.

The preparation of Pani Roti involves cooking wheat flour dough balls in a pressure cooker along with curry made from vegetables like leaves (karkalo ko paat), the young stalks (gaaba or gaava), and the taro tubers or corms (pidhaalu) of taro plant or unripe pumpkin, complemented by the addition of greens. This delightful combination of wheat flour balls and vegetable curry provides sustenance for an extended period, making it an ideal choice for Nepali villagers engaged in extensive farming work with limited time for cooking.

In contrast, Thenthuk, originating from Tibetan cuisine, is a versatile and heartwarming soup commonly found in the streets of Kathmandu, especially in Tibetan restaurants and small eateries. Thenthuk, also known as hand-pulled noodle soup or thukpa, is a delightful and nutritious dish popular in Amdo, Tibet, where it is often served as a comforting lunch or dinner option.

The main components of Thenthuk include wheat flour dough, mixed vegetables, and tender Himalayan goat (Chyangra), mutton, or yak meat. The adaptability of Thenthuk allows for modern variations like Vegetable Thenthuk to cater to vegetarians and those seeking a lighter option. By incorporating seasonal and local vegetables, Vegetable Thenthuk remains fresh, vibrant, and brimming with flavors.

The clear vegetable broth in Thenthuk allows the natural tastes of the vegetables to shine through, creating a light and healthy option suitable for any time of day. Whether enjoyed as a nourishing lunch or a comforting dinner, Thenthuk provides the necessary sustenance to keep individuals energized without feeling overly heavy or indulgent.

Both Pani Roti and Thenthuk embody the essence of Nepali and Tibetan comfort cuisine. These dishes carry cultural significance, evoke nostalgia, and offer heartwarming flavors and nutrition. Pani Roti and Thenthuk showcase the beauty of traditional cooking methods, the use of seasonal and local ingredients, and the power of culinary heritage in bringing families and communities together.

In a culinary landscape that often emphasizes novelty and innovation, it’s essential to celebrate and preserve the unique flavors and cultural heritage embedded in dishes like Pani Roti and Thenthuk. These traditional delicacies offer more than just sustenance; they are a reflection of our history, values, and the essence of what it means to share a meal with loved ones.

As we savor the simplicity and depth of flavors found in Pani Roti and Thenthuk, let us celebrate the culinary treasures that connect us to our roots and enrich our lives. As we gather around the table to enjoy these cherished dishes, let us also take a moment to appreciate the elders in our families who pass down these recipes, keeping the flame of tradition alive for future generations to enjoy.

In this rainy season, you can enjoy the warmth and spice of Pani Roti or Thenthuk, comforting your body and soul. For those in (or, from) Dharan, you can even compare your version of veg Thukpa with Pani Roti and Thenthuk and savor the unique delights of each dish.

As we embrace the legacy of Pani Roti and Thenthuk, let us remember that food is not just a means of sustenance, it’s a gateway to our culture, heritage, and memories that bind us together as a community. Let us cherish and celebrate these comfort cuisines that have been an integral part of our lives, connecting us to our past and infusing warmth into our present.

The author is a UK-based R&D chef

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has decided to have a performance contract with ministers by outlining annual objectives.

This contract has already been implemented between ministers and secretaries and department heads. Although a positive approach, the deal has faced several challenges in execution earlier. Basically, it is a failed concept.

A similar initiative introduced during the premiership of KP Oli could not yield anticipated outcomes due to governmental instability. The approach has become ineffective due to frequent replacement of ministers. Additionally, frequent transfer of secretaries, department heads and bureaucrats further impedes their ability to perform.

There is also a lack of coordination between cabinet ministers, ministries and bureaucrats, which also makes this approach difficult to execute. 

For this concept to be effective, a stable government, a consistent cabinet, and steady bureaucratic operations are a must. Without these elements, whether this approach will be effective or not is a moot question.

The author is a former government secretary