Letter from the Editor: October 01, 2025

India is like a beautiful collage of unique traditions, cultures, languages and especially foods. Every region in India offers its own blend of ingredients that create unique experiences. Many of India’s dishes have histories that go back hundreds of years. From the flavourful biryanis of Hyderabad to the delicious chaat of Mumbai, each dish tells a story of the place and its people. 

What makes Indian food even more remarkable is the way it brings people together. A single ingredient can travel across the country, taking on new flavours wherever it goes. Rice, for instance, becomes idli and dosa in the South, poha in Maharashtra, pulao in the North, kheer in Gujarat and chaler payesh in West Bengal. Lentils become sambhar, dal makhani, panchmel dal or khichdi—the same grain, yet it carries countless identities. 

Sharing food is often the first step in sharing culture. Sitting together over a meal, exchanging recipes or offering and accepting festive sweets teach us not just about ingredients, but about the communities, rituals and people behind them. Every dish is a lesson in history, migration, climate and creativity. 

The incredible feature of India is that its diversity helps people bond rather than divide. Festivals become more enjoyable as they help people of diverse backgrounds unite. The savoury snacks and sweets exchanged build lasting relationships despite differences. 

As you explore new places and taste traditional dishes, remember that the uniqueness of each place and food reflects a rich history. Food is not just nourishment—it is memory, identity and connection. Together, these varieties form the pride of India, where every bite is a reminder of how diversity can taste like unity.