The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Expats miss the taste of `haleem' this year

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Sunday, Oct 01, 2006
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Expats miss the taste of `haleem' this year

M. Sai Gopal

Stringent security restricting transportation of liquids on aircraft hits exports of Hyderabadis' favourite dish

HYDERABAD: The taste of Hyderabadi `haleem' might be restricted just to the Indian shores this Ramzan, with security concerns playing spoilsport.

Staunch Hyderabadi `haleem' buffs living in the Middle East and South East Asian countries and other NRI gourmets with a liking for `haleem', are in for disappointed this year because of the restrictions in exporting the dish due to strict overseas transportation rules.

The transportation of liquids on aircraft has severe constraints following a foiled plan by terrorists to smuggle explosives onboard flights in London recently.

As a result, relatives of the expatriate community settled in Hyderabad and `haleem' outlets in the twin cities who used to export the dish earlier are unable to do the same this year.

Pista House, which used to do roaring business a year back by catering to the needs of NRI `haleem' aficionados, is among those struck badly by the stringent rules.

However, hope is not lost with the Pista House management sending a team of cooks to three cities in the Middle East including Jeddah, Makkah and Madina.

"However, there are lots of Hyderabadis living in other cities in Middle East and cities in Malaysia and Indonesia who are unable to relish their favourite `haleem' this year," they admitted.

Pista House proprietor M.A. Majid said the Hyderabadi `haleem' has already become a huge draw in the three Middle East cities where it was introduced. "Within two hours, we were out of stock in Jeddah. In fact, we are getting phone calls from Abu Dhabi and Malaysia too, but we are unable to do anything for them," he added.

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