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Rujuta Diwekar shared her thoughts on X and Instagram, highlighting that home-cooked meals are healthy and can strengthen community ties.
Nikhil Kamath observed that home cooking is rare in Singapore.
On February 19, renowned nutritionist Rujuta Diwekar stressed the value of home-cooked meals, claiming they enhance health and strengthen family and community bonds. She urged people to dismiss the opinions of “rich boys,” likely referring to billionaire Nikhil Kamath, who had recently ignited a debate on food consumption practices in India compared to Singapore.
Rujuta Diwekar, who has provided nutritional guidance to Bollywood figures such as Kareena Kapoor Khan, expressed her views on X and Instagram, emphasising that eating at home is a beneficial practice that can prevent various diseases and promote community connections. She encouraged everyone to learn cooking and make it a regular habit, regardless of their age, gender, or financial situation, using the hashtag #gharkakhana, which means home-cooked food.
Nikhil Kamath had earlier shared insights from his visit to Singapore, observing that home cooking is quite uncommon in the affluent city. He noted that many individuals he encountered did not prepare meals at home, with some lacking kitchens altogether. He proposed that if India were to adopt a similar lifestyle, it could open up substantial opportunities for the restaurant industry. He asked his restaurateur friends what changes could help this industry thrive in India.
I was in Singapore this week; most I met said they never cook at home, and others don’t have a kitchen.If India were to follow this trend, investing/opening restaurants would be a massive opportunity, but we don’t have restaurant brands that have close to the scale Southeast… pic.twitter.com/xctpFUyV57— Nikhil Kamath (@nikhilkamathcio) February 18, 2025
Kamath’s remarks prompted a spirited debate regarding the dining habits of people in Singapore and India. Numerous users pointed out Singapore’s vibrant hawker centre culture where office workers can enjoy affordable, clean, and healthy meals. In contrast, several Indian commenters raised concerns about the hygiene of street food and the higher costs associated with eating out compared to home-cooked meals. One user asserted that home-cooked food is a vital aspect of Indian culture and is unlikely to change.
Diwekar’s comments were widely interpreted as a reaction to Kamath’s perspectives on Indian eating practices. One user on X suggested that wealthy individuals are just now discovering Singapore and believe it holds the answers to India’s challenges. Another user referenced Kamath’s previous advice about renting homes rather than buying, stating that affluent individuals also recommended renting while purchasing their properties.
While many people supported Diwekar’s message, some commenters highlighted that cooking at home might not be a viable option for everyone, and hiring help is often not affordable. One Instagram user pointed out that it is easy to suggest eating “home-cooked food,” but questioned who is preparing meals at home, suggesting that it tends to be wealthy, while others may be balancing multiple jobs just to make ends meet. They also questioned whether it was assumed that women should be the ones staying home to cook.
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
