Rahul trolled over 'shikanji', 'dhaba' remark

Vartha Bharati | 11-06-2018 | 23:41:00 IST

New Delhi, June 11: Congress President Rahul Gandhi was trolled on Twitter on Monday after he said the maker of Coca-Cola was a "shikanji" (lemonade) seller in the United States and the founder of McDonald's used to run a "dhaba" (roadside restaurant).

After his remarks, a hashtag #AccordingToRahulGandhi started trending on Twitter.

"Who started Coca-Cola company? Do you know? I will tell you who. The maker of Coca-Cola was a 'shikanji' seller. He used to sell 'shikanji' in America. He used to mix sugar in water," said Gandhi while addressing the national convention of the Congress' OBC arm.

"His experience and skill got recognition and respect, he earned money and Coca-Cola company was founded," he added.

Gandhi further said: "You must have heard about McDonald's. The founder of it used to run a 'dhaba'. You show me one 'dhabawala' in India, who founded a company like the one as Coca-Cola. Where is it?"

"Have you heard of Ford, Mercedes and Honda? Who started these companies? The founders of these companies were mechanics. You show me one automobile company in India, which was started by a mechanic," said Gandhi.

Gandhi said: "This is not true that our people don't have understanding or skills. It is not that our 'dhabawalas' don't have strength, understanding and knowledge. It is not that our mechnanics don't have the capabilities as Ford or Mercedes did.

"The truth is the banks are open for companies like Ford, Mercedes and MacDonald's but they are shut for our 'dhabawalas', mechanics and carpenters."

Coca-Cola was founded by American pharmacist John Pemberton in 1886 when he prepared a beverage which later became Cola drink.

McDonald's was set up in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald. It started after they opened a hotdog stand in 1937 in California.

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Karnataka issues nutrition advisory for govt events; recommends millets, healthier options

13-04-2026 ¦ 13-04-2026 IST

Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday issued a nutrition advisory recommending healthier food and beverage options at meetings, functions, and other official gatherings held in the state.

The advisory has been issued by the Department of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Services to promote healthy dietary and nutritional habits among officials and staff, noting that food, refreshments and beverages served in government offices and official programmes are "often not aligned with nutrition standards."

The advisory recommends serving snacks such as millet-based, low-fat and low-sugar foods, fresh fruits, vegetable salads, sprouts, roasted nuts and seeds during in-house office meetings and breaks.

Beverages such as green tea, low-fat buttermilk, and locally filtered or boiled water served in glass bottles or steel flasks have also been suggested.

According to the advisory, for larger government events, conferences and exhibitions, departments have been advised to include at least one millet-based item during snacks and a minimum of two millet dishes in meals, along with local cuisine and at least one regional recipe.

It also recommends the use of brown rice instead of white rice, freshly prepared vegetable salads, and fresh fruits or low-sugar fruit juices.

If non-vegetarian food is served, it should consist of well-cooked lean or white meat, the advisory stated.

In eateries operating within government office campuses, the department has recommended millet-based foods, fresh vegetable salads, boiled pulses such as horse gram or chickpeas, and low-fat beverages.

It suggests serving food using reusable metal plates and glasses.

The advisory also recommends avoiding microwave-heated food, industrially processed food, fried snacks, high-fat or heavily spiced dishes, carbonated drinks, high-sugar fruit juices, and alcoholic beverages.

It further discourages serving milk-based tea or coffee and plastic-bottled water during official events.

“Overall, hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained while serving food and water. Local cottage industries, self-help groups, prison kitchens, nutri-gardens and others should be preferred for placing food and beverage orders,” the advisory added.