Original by Dr. Steve Wong
September 26, 2023
Recently, I went on a business trip to Mumbai, India. From there, I hired a car to the Mundra Free Trade Zone in Gujarat state, passing through cities like Vadodara and Ahmedabad along the way for visiting various customers. It was a journey of over two thousand kilometers.
I started early on the first day, around 6 AM, and visited several suppliers and buyers throughout the day and stayed the night at a hotel in Vadodara. Before arriving the hotel at around 9 PM, I was contemplating to have a glass of draught beer which to me is more important than having dinner. After a long and tiring journey of over ten hours, I wanted to relax and enjoy a drink. However, to my disappointment, I found out that Gujarat is a “dry state,” meaning alcohol is prohibited. Local residents cannot buy alcohol, and there are no bars or restaurants that serve alcohol. As for foreigners, they can only purchase alcohol after registering with their passport at specific locations, which are quite far away.
Later, I learned that this alcohol ban in the state is a mark of respect for Mahatma Gandhi, who once lived in this region and led labor movements in Ahmedabad to fight for workers’ rights.
The more, the people of Gujarat take pride in their state. It’s the home state of India’s current Prime Minister, Mr. Modi, who is considered one of India’s most capable prime ministers. He comes from a humble background and has a legendary story, starting as a tea seller on a train and rising to become the prime minister. He deeply understands the needs of the people. In recent years, India’s robust economic growth can be attributed, more or less, to his policies.
Gujarat is primarily Hindu, and most of its residents are vegetarians. One prominent sect here is Jainism, known for its strict adherence to dietary restrictions. Jains do not consume not only meat but also anything that grows below the ground, such as onions, garlic, and potatoes. Jainism represents a very small percentage of the population, less than one percent, yet it holds significant economic influence in India. Many of my Indian clients adhere to this faith, so during my stay in Gujarat, I had no access to alcohol, and most of my meals were vegetarian.
Though vegetarian food is not a problem to me, what was available there were legumes and various calorie-rich flatbreads, along with a wide variety of sweets which were to my dislike for its oily and sugar rich cooking. I prefer dishes cooked with minimal oil and enjoys a touch of sesame oil. Interestingly, by the time I left, I was delighted to find that my weight had dropped by two kilograms. On the other hand, many Indians tend to be overweight. I noticed online that the average life expectancy in this region is around 70 years, which can be attributed to their lifestyle and environment.