The Biryani that stole the show

Zia Darakshan

Srinagar 04 May : In olden times people believed, ‘prosperity arrives only through the blessings of priests and clerics.’

In Hindu tradition, a host would invite pandits, serve them the finest meal the household could afford, offer gifts, and seek divine goodwill in return. In Kashmir’s Muslim society too, feeding the mullah was considered an act of virtue , the more generous the feast, the greater the blessings expected upon the host.

Hundreds of years have passed. Technology has stepped into the age of artificial intelligence and transformed nearly every aspect of human life. Yet somehow, this old philosophy survives splendidly inside our institutions. Only the characters have changed.

Today, the pandits and mullahs have quietly been replaced by a far more influential priesthood,those who shape tomorrow’s headlines.

The recent grand gathering organised by the SKIMS administration reflected this modern ritual perfectly. Nearly sixty media persons, alongside faculty members, officials, and distinguished guests, were invited to witness the “historic unveiling” of advanced medical infrastructure aimed at revolutionising patient care and clinical excellence.

The marvel of science stood proudly on display. Gleaming machines, imported expertise, and the language of “vision,” “transformation,” and “global standards” filled the atmosphere with institutional pride.

Meanwhile, waiters performed their own form of clinical excellence, balancing trays heavier than hospital files.

One could almost imagine the MRI machines whispering among themselves, ‘Hey, we were bought to scan patients, but first we must scan the media mood.’

Now, there is absolutely nothing wrong with upgrading medical infrastructure. Hospitals should modernise. Doctors and healthcare workers deserve appreciation. Staff morale matters. Institutions should celebrate achievement.

But the questions softly hiding beneath the biryani steam leave one scratching one’s head: Why does every achievement now require ceremonial hospitality? And why must every machine arrive accompanied by applause, cameras, and admiration? Last but not least, why must public infrastructure sometimes resemble the unveiling of a royal wedding venue more than a public service facility?

In olden times, the poor villager fed the priest hoping for divine protection from misfortune. Today, institutions carefully nurture those who shape public perception. The philosophy remains remarkably similar.

Keep the priest pleased, and the rest is taken care of.

After all, accountability digests poorly on an empty stomach.

And somewhere beyond the speeches and photographs stands the ordinary patient still waiting in a hospital queue, quietly wondering whether the CT scan machine functions as efficiently on ordinary days as it does during ceremonial demonstrations.

One must admire the evolution of tradition. Earlier, blessings were sought for rain, harvest, and prosperity. Today, blessings are sought for visibility, reputation management, and public relations.

The purohit once carried scriptures. The modern one carries a microphone.

The mullah once delivered sermons. The modern one delivers prime-time debates or flowery columns.

And the host, just like centuries ago, remains convinced that feeding the right people is the safest investment against future suffering. History, it seems, never truly changes.It merely upgrades its catering menu.

So let us gracefully welcome this new flavour of biryani carefully garnished with its ceremonial cherry on top, lightly seasoned, richly aromatic, and steaming elegantly around the shining MRI machine, until one almost forgets whether it was the machine being unveiled or the biryani itself on display.