Have you tried the Satvik food at Numaish?

A visit to Numaish, Hyderabad’s popular industrial exhibition that lasts for over a month, is driven by nostalgia and curiosity. Curiosity over what is new at the stalls selling pickles, kitchenware, food and more. Then there is the fun of going on the giant wheel or witnessing the daredevils in action at the maut-ka-kuwa (well of death) on two-wheelers and four-wheelers.

For septuagenarian like Neeta Bhogle, a homemaker who rarely eats outside, Numaish is a culmination all the above and a meal at Natural and Satvik food canteen. Neeta says, “The shopping spree culminates with a meal of Satvikkhichdi, which is simple yet tasty. Surprisingly this khichdi needs no side dish.”

Steamed groundnut, horse gram and sprouted moong
| Photo Credit:
Prabalika M Borah

Natural and satvik food canteen sells simple homely food, easy in the pocket. This include boiled peanuts, sprouts and horse gram and the hot-sellers, khichdi and dahi vada.

The menu of the canteen, currently run by Vijaya Bhaskar and his team, has 10 products, including fruit juices, salads and soups. 

The idea was mooted in 1988 by Bhusani Babu Rao Sharma, chairman of Satvik Ahaar Pracharam. It was adopted by Nature Cure Hospital, which managed the stall till 1992. Vijaya Bhaskar, who was the secretary of Satvik Ahar Pracharam (who worked with Bhusani Babu Rao Sharma), and his team then took on the responsibility of the stall.

Khichdi at Natural and Satvik food canteen
| Photo Credit:
Prabalika M Borah

Vijaya, now working at Gandhi Bhavan, says, “We continued it because people loved the stall since the day it opened. The concept is to promote healthy food that can be consumed by anyone. We also aim at keeping it affordable.” Expensive of the lot are khichdi and dahi vada, priced at ₹50.

Dahi vada at Natural and Satvik food canteen
| Photo Credit:
Prabalika M Borah

The quantity of food cooked and sold depends on the footfall at the exhibition, says Vijaya. On weekends and holidays the number of visitors soars. “Everything is made fresh and in limited quantities. Some items like khichdi, dahi vada and salads are cooked multiple times whereas boiled peanuts, sprouted moong and horse gram that need soaking will be available the following day once they are sold out,” she explains.

The Natural and Satvik food canteen menu

The exhibition, which is on till February 15, is open from 4pm to 10.30pm on working days and till 11pm on weekends and public holidays. Entry free is ₹50 per person, while it is free for children aged below five.