President Tharman Shanmugaratnam extends festive greetings for Tamil New Year and reveals his fondness for briyani, highlighting its cultural significance and personal appeal.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam extended warm wishes to those celebrating Tamil New Year , Puthandu , on Tuesday, April 14th, and to Sikhs, Malayalees, Bengalis, and other Indian communities in Singapore who were also observing various festivities in the subsequent days. The President also took the opportunity to share his personal fondness for briyani, a culinary preference revealed through a Facebook post on the same day.
He articulated his appreciation for this traditional Indian dish, highlighting its remarkable ability to unite people across racial, religious, and cultural boundaries. President Tharman emphasized that he no longer consumes beef but the array of options like chicken, mutton, lamb, or seafood briyani are always tempting. He stressed the importance of slow cooking the briyani to allow the rice to fully absorb the rich flavors of the meats and spices.
He further added that briyani is a fast-growing, healthy, and environmentally conscious food choice, particularly popular in India. He described the dish as one that has transcended geographical boundaries and cultural lines, briefly touching upon its historical origins. He explained that briyani is believed to have originated in Persia, modern-day Iran, before it made its way to India, where it evolved and was adapted to suit the tastes of different regions. In Singapore and Malaysia, nasi briyani is typically served with achar, which is pickled vegetables, or cooked slices of pineapple, and a generous portion of dalcha, a lentil curry.
Regarding his preferred vegetable briyani, President Tharman mentioned that it is often prepared with short-grain rice sourced from Tamil Nadu. This rice is known for being gluten-free and having a lower glycaemic index compared to other long-grain white rice varieties. He also noted that this variety is cultivated with less water, an increasingly crucial factor given the scarcity of water resources in rice-growing regions.
The post generated a wave of positive responses, with netizens expressing their appreciation for his well-wishes and reciprocating with their own greetings. One commenter stated, Your love for different cultures and food is truly inspiring, Singapore is lucky to have you, while another said, Thank You sir, very awesome, informative post about briyani. Happy, blessed Tamil Puthandu... Wishing you and your family a year filled with love, happiness, good health and a peaceful life always.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam Tamil New Year Puthandu Briyani Culture Singapore Food
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
New Signs on Johor-Singapore Causeway Raise Questions About Pedestrian Ban and Commuter SafetyNewly installed signs prohibiting pedestrian traffic on the Johor-Singapore Causeway have sparked confusion and debate. Commuters, accustomed to walking across the border to avoid traffic, now face stricter regulations. The changes have led to questions about enforcement, safety, and the lack of alternative pedestrian infrastructure.
Read more »
Dwayne Johnson Pays Tribute to Robin Williams in New Jumanji MovieDwayne Johnson and the cast of the upcoming Jumanji: Open World paid an emotional tribute to the late Robin Williams at CinemaCon. The new movie will feature an Easter egg in every scene to honor Williams, who starred in the original Jumanji. Johnson emphasized the importance of Williams in the franchise's success and highlighted that the new film will be the biggest so far.
Read more »
Philippine President Marcos debunks health rumours with jumping jacksMANILA — An annoyed Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr did a few rounds of jumping jack exercise and jogged briefly outside his office in front of journalists Monday (April 13) to disprove rumours of his failing health.
Read more »
Rolex discontinues "Pepsi" GMT-Master II, unveils new Oyster models at Watches and Wonders 2026As Rolex confirmed the end of the legendary "Pepsi" GMT-Master II, the watchmaker also unveiled a slate of new models at Watches and Wonders 2026 to mark the Oyster's 100th anniversary.
Read more »
Singapore Deepens Ties with Texas Through New Austin Overseas CentreEnterprise Singapore launches an overseas centre in Austin, Texas, to foster stronger trade, investment, and innovation partnerships. The initiative aims to connect Singaporean businesses with the fast-growing central US market, focusing on technology, manufacturing, and energy sectors.
Read more »
First Arrest Made Under New Malaysian Law Targeting Illegal RON95 Fuel Purchase by ForeignersA Singaporean-registered vehicle driver was arrested in Johor Bahru for illegally purchasing subsidized RON95 petrol, just ten days after a new law targeting such violations came into effect. The arrest signals a firm stance against the misuse of subsidized fuel, with the offender facing severe penalties including hefty fines and potential jail time.
Read more »