Vada Paw Story | famous go-to snacks in Mumbai

 

I was in degree college in Andheri. My college time was morning at 7 o'clock. For reaching college on time, I have to caught an early train from Bhayander. in this rush, I missed my morning nasta every time. So like every day, I went college. After attending three lectures continuously, my stomach started craving for food. I was praying for the lecture finish shortly so I can run to the canteen and keep calm my hunger. Hush.. lectures finished, but in the canteen, I realized I forgot my wallet at home. I know I can borrow from my friends, but it was a Saturday, and no one comes to college on that day. Because of purchasing a project book, I have to go to college on Saturday, and it was the last day for collecting the project book. Bad luck! Now, after forgetting my wallet, my day will going for me way more worst than bad luck. I immediately check my pockets and bag to find some money. Eureka! I found 10 rs, but in the canteen, the price starts from rs 25. I got angry with me for being careless. Taking rs 10 in hand, I went out of college. I look around and found there was nothing comes in rs 10, which can calm my hunger. 

I get sad and going toward the station to catch the train for home. When I reached the station, I saw an uncle is frying something and serving it with a paw. It was VADA PAW !!! After seeing this, one big satisfaction smile come on my face and run toward him and said, "Uncle ek Wada paw dena," and it was just for Rs 10. this Vada paw uncle saves my life. I know I m being here so dramatic, but i can't hold my emotion at that time. When I was enjoying my vada paw, I wondered who made this great, pocket-friendly, and hunger savior vada paw first. Do you know? Don't worry, I will tell you. So, you can make an impression among your friend group while eating Vada paw. even i don't know that time so, I asked the uncle.

So let's back to Mumbai to Bombay, I mean back to 1960 when Mumbai was Bombay.

In 1960 Balasaheb Thackeray appealed to Maharashtrians to become entrepreneurs the way South Indians had by setting up Udupi restaurants. This inspired Ashok Vaidya, and in 1966 he set up a stall outside Dadar Station. He began selling Vada and Poha alongside a stall that sold Omelet Pav. Once, he experimented and placed a Vada between Pav along with some chutney to add more flavor. At this time where hundreds and thousands of workers passed every day on their way to the textile mills in suburban areas such as Parel and Worli.because of low price and hunger savior, the Vada Pav became an instant hit in no time for workers. Very soon, vada daw becomes a famous go-to snake in Mumbai. Everyone liked it. It is pocket friendly, go to snakes and especially for those who have no time. People are enjoying it even on crowded local trains. from Bollywood star to Indian cricketer, everyone became a fan of it. Even the Late Balasaheb Thackeray was an ardent fan of Vaidya's Vada Pav and was a regular customer. Their relationship soon developed into a friendship, and as per legends, Thackeray told the BMC officials not to bother Vaidya in any case!

But, After strikes throughout the 1970s and '80s eventually led to the textile mills' closures, many former mill workers opened Vada pav stalls of their own with Maharashtra state's encouragement of right-wing political party, Shiv Sena.

On July 6, 1998, Ashok Vaidya passed away at the age of 58. His invention, Vada Pav, brought all of Maharashtra together and blurred any lines of the divide. When Vaidya passed away, his son Narendra took over the business, which was supposed to be only for a short time. However, today, even after 22 years of passing away of senior Vaidya, Narendra continues to stand outside platform number 1 on the western line of Dadar station, selling Vada Pav with the same simplicity and demeanor his father used to on the same stand all those years ago.

In the year 2015, director Aalambayan Siddharth made a 5-minute documentary movie, 'Vada Pav Inc.,' which put light on Ashok Vaidya and his journey as the creator of the Vada Pav. Also, August 23 is observed as World Vada Pav Day to celebrate Maharashtra's most significant gift to foodies.

burp..sorry. I have done my vada paw and story too.