People prefer ‘munta’ during bandh

SNS, Kurseong, 11 August 2013: A local vegetable, popularly known as “Munta” has become a boon in disguise these days for the people living in Darjeeling Hills in the midst of the bandh season. 

The Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha sponsored indefinite Darjeeling Hills which started from 3 August has reached its eighth day today and the larder that had been stocked by the common people for the duration of the indefinite bandh is slowly dwindling. 

However, in the eight days of bandh so far, even though the food stock is used frugally it is still decreasing; and at this juncture the “Munta”, a green vegetable with long stalks, tender leaves and tendrils, has become a popular item in the bandh-stricken menu of the people in the Hills. 

These days, at different places in the Hills, people have been seen carrying bunches of munta for lunch and dinner when other vegetables are hard to fetch. 

However, even on normal days too, the munta is a much sought after vegetable but in these days of the ongoing indefinite strike, even people who have a dislike for it have been bound to take it with their meals. Presently, a bunch of munta cost Rs 20 at various places in the Hills. But there are also people who collect it themselves than buy it as the munta is found growing abundantly in forested areas, farmlands, roadsides or even in marshes in the Hills. 

Notably, the munta is found growing plentifully during the monsoon season in Darjeeling Hills. The munta is considered a vegetable that is not only tasty but good for the health and is said to decrease uric acidity.