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Tomatoes are being sold at the price of gold and the citizens have been stirred to depend on creative ways in order to fulfil their needs. In one of the most defining economic moments of our times, the tomato crisis has been nothing short of a roller-coaster ride. From trucks being robbed, to bodyguards being placed outside store rooms and global chain restaurants issuing notices, take a look at some of the chuckle-worthy news stories that have sprouted in these trying times.
Tomato Thefts
In a shocking but unsurprising turn of events, a vehicle carrying almost 2,000 kilos of tomatoes was robbed by a group of men in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The incident occurred as the farmer was transporting his precious cargo from Hiriyur to Kola market, when the robbers stopped the vehicle under the pretence of having a vehicle breakdown themselves. To add to the farmer’s agony, the miscreants also demanded an online money transfer. Similar incidences occurred in Jaipur and Telengana, following this epic heist.
Off The Menu
The global fast food chain, McDonald’s issued an official notice stating that tomatoes have been taken off of their burgers and wraps due to the shortage and high prices. The statement in question read, “Despite our best efforts, we are not able to get adequate quantities of tomatoes which pass our stringent quality checks. We are forced to serve you products without tomatoes,” that was posted in two McDonald's stores in New Delhi.
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High Security
If things weren’t already too bad, a vegetable seller in Varanasi took matters into his hands to safeguard his tomatoes, worth the price of gold. As a response to the ongoing thefts, Ajay Fauji hired two private bodyguards to ‘protect’ the high-valued product. The vendor, who is also a Samajwadi Party worker, also divulged that the guards were also hired to keep buyers from getting aggressive while bargaining the prices.
Pop Culture Moment
The virtual world’s sense of humour has seeped into the issue of this nationwide tomato shortage and the internet never disappoints! From memes, tweets to parody songs about the sorry state of food without tomatoes, hilarious renditions sung to the tunes of popular songs have taken the audience by storm. “Sar peet rahe hain sabji, sambar bane kaise bina tamaatar?”, says the lyrics to one of these parodies, and we couldn’t agree more!
She Said ‘No’
When the premium prices of tomatoes weigh heavy on the wallet, even relationships are at stake; and who would know better than a man from Madhya Pradesh, whose wife decided to leave the house with her daughter, due to being upset about the man cooking a meal that used tomatoes. The couple hailing from Shahdol district, got into a bitter fight about the man not consulting her before using them for his tiffin service. Talk about a relationship going sour!
