DAY TO DAY ECONOMICS

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CBS LINE

Volume 3(12)

From Kitchen to Country: How a Bowl of

Chicken Curry Adds to GDP

“Fashion is rising, money is falling,” Rajan Begum read aloud from the newspaper, squinting as if the words themselves were playing tricks on him. “GDP is growing, but jobs are missing,” said another headline. He folded the paper slowly and stared at his tea. “So money runs fast, value walks slowly, and my tea is already cold,” he muttered. From the other room, his wife laughed. “Stop arguing with the newspaper,” she said. “Do something useful.” Rajan smiled to himself. “Useful? Yes. Cooking. At least food doesn’t confuse people.” He paused and added, “Why not make chicken curry and sell it? Maybe that will explain everything.”

At the market, the chicken seller greeted him cheerfully. “Early today! One kilo?” “Yes,” Rajan replied, “₹195, right?” The seller nodded. “What are you cooking?” Rajan grinned. “Clarity.” At the next stall, he bought masala, onions and oil for ₹75. As he paid, Rajan thought quietly that these things would disappear into the curry, just like his confusion should. By the time he returned home, ₹270 had already slipped out of his pocket.

Back in the kitchen, Rajan glanced at the clock. “If I do this alone, lunch will become dinner.” He called the helper. “Come for half an hour.” “Only half?” the helper asked. “Yes,” Rajan replied. “You earn ₹500 for eight hours, so ₹31.25 for thirty minutes.” The helper smiled and agreed. When the stove clicked on, Rajan stared at the flame. “This LPG cylinder cost ₹1080 and lasts only 100 hours,” he said aloud. His wife raised an eyebrow. “Why are you talking to the gas?” Rajan replied seriously, “Because it’s working for fifteen minutes. That’s ₹2.70 worth of effort.”

He borrowed cooking vessels from his neighbour. “₹50 for the day,” the neighbour said. “I’ll use them for one hour only,” Rajan replied. “So ₹6.25.” The neighbour laughed. “Bring some curry also.” “Best deal in economics,” Rajan smiled.

As the curry bubbled and filled the kitchen with comforting smells, the helper asked, “Will you make profit?” Rajan stirred slowly. “A small one. About ten percent. Effort deserves respect.” When customers arrived, drawn by the aroma and the early hour, Rajan sold the curry for around ₹340. As he counted the money, he suddenly laughed. “So money didn’t multiply magically,” he said. “Something new happened between the market and the kitchen.”

The helper took his wages, the neighbour earned rent, and Rajan looked at what remained in his hand and nodded. “Everyone got their share.” He unfolded the newspaper again, now far less intimidating. “GDP isn’t noise,” he said softly. “It’s quiet work happening everywhere—in markets, in kitchens.” His wife smiled. “And in your chicken curry.” Rajan sprinkled coriander on top and served the dish. “Finally,” he said, “something that tastes like clarity.”

Dr. Muraleedharan S, Fathima Sana

MSc in Econometrics and Financial Technology

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