Operation Sindoor: Is renaming sweets like Mysore ‘Pak' and Aam ‘Pak' a sweet sentiment of solidarity lost in translation?
Operation Sindoor
, India's sweeping military retaliation against terror camps across the border, a symbolic storm has been brewing—not on the battlefield, but in sweet shops. In Jaipur, Rajasthan, traditional Indian delicacies such as Moti Pak, Aam Pak, and Gond Pak have suddenly donned new avatars as Moti Shree, Aam Shree, and Gond Shree. The move, intended to disassociate the word 'Pak' from Pakistan, was framed as a sweet tribute to
national unity
.
But linguists and history tell us—this sugary name-change might just be a misplaced dessert decision.
Following India's military action under Operation Sindoor, some sweet sellers in Rajasthan renamed classic Indian desserts, replacing 'Pak' with 'Shree'.
Operation Sindoor and a Wave of Symbolic Sentiments
Launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack that claimed 26 lives, Operation Sindoor was India's tri-services military operation targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Named after the sacred red powder that signifies marital commitment and sacrifice in Hindu tradition, the operation struck a deep emotional chord nationwide.
Play Video
Pause
Skip Backward
Skip Forward
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
0:00
Loaded
:
0%
0:00
Stream Type
LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
1x
Playback Rate
Chapters
Chapters
Descriptions
descriptions off
, selected
Captions
captions settings
, opens captions settings dialog
captions off
, selected
Audio Track
default
, selected
Picture-in-Picture
Fullscreen
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text
Color
White
Black
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Text Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Opaque
Semi-Transparent
Transparent
Caption Area Background
Color
Black
White
Red
Green
Blue
Yellow
Magenta
Cyan
Opacity
Transparent
Semi-Transparent
Opaque
Font Size
50%
75%
100%
125%
150%
175%
200%
300%
400%
Text Edge Style
None
Raised
Depressed
Uniform
Drop shadow
Font Family
Proportional Sans-Serif
Monospace Sans-Serif
Proportional Serif
Monospace Serif
Casual
Script
Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values
Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Fungo nas unhas: um truque simples reduz facilmente
Acabe com os Fungo
Undo
As the country celebrated its success with firecrackers, slogans, and sweets, some chose to take things a step further—by editing the menu. But renaming beloved confections wasn't merely an emotional impulse. It became a symbol of distancing from all things perceived to carry 'Pak' in their name, even if the connection was historically and linguistically unfounded.
'Pak' Isn't What You Think It Is
Enter Abhishek Avtans, a linguist and lecturer in Indic languages, who promptly pointed out that this semantic crusade was rooted in a misunderstanding. His brief yet incisive tweet explained that 'Pak' in
Indian sweets
has nothing to do with the modern political term 'Pakistan'. In fact, it originates from the Kannada word
paka
, meaning sweet preparation or syrup, and shares etymological ties with the Sanskrit
pakva
—meaning cooked, ripe, or baked.
You Might Also Like:
Operation Sindoor: Meet Colonel Sofiya Quraishi's 'all-rounder' twin sister Shyna Sunsara. She is a model, fashion designer, economist, and environmentalist
In Hindi too, related words like
paag
refer to sugar syrup or stages of sugar caramelization. This culinary heritage runs deep, tracing through centuries of Indian food traditions, long before any geopolitical tensions existed.
Abhishek Avtans, a linguist and lecturer in Indic languages explained the origin of word 'Pak' in sweets.
Mysore Pak: A Legacy Sweetened by History, Not Politics
Perhaps the most iconic bearer of the 'Pak' suffix is Mysore Pak—a treat born in the royal kitchens of Mysore's Amba Vilas Palace. Created by royal chef Kakasura Madappa as an experimental delight of gram flour, ghee, and sugar, the sweet was named on the spot when the king demanded to know what this heavenly creation was called. "Mysore Pak," Madappa replied—
pak
referring to the syrupy texture of the sweetened base. The king loved it so much he asked Madappa to start a sweet shop, and the rest is culinary legend.
Even today, Madappa's descendants carry on the tradition at Guru Sweets in Mysore's Devaraja Market, proudly serving what remains a timeless favorite of the region.
When Culture Is Lost in Translation
While patriotic sentiments are valid and the desire to honor national sacrifice commendable, we need to be careful while rewriting cultural history in pursuit of political symbolism. Sweets like Mysore Pak are not just desserts; they are edible heritage—part of India's regional linguistic, culinary, and emotional landscape.
You Might Also Like:
Suniel Shetty drops truth bomb on why actors are silent over Operation Sindoor
One word can hold layers of meaning across languages and regions. In the rush to affirm national pride, we risk diluting the very things that make our heritage unique. By renaming a centuries-old sweet based on a misunderstood etymology, we may be creating more confusion than cohesion. As India moves forward with strength and unity, let's ensure our traditions—especially the ones that bring sweetness to our lives—are honored for what they truly represent.
You Might Also Like:
Operation Sindoor: A powerful nod to Indian women's strength and sacrifice
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
17 minutes ago
- Indian Express
2 Indians killed, one missing in Niger: What is happening in the West African nation?
Two Indian migrant workers were killed in the West African country of Niger on Tuesday (July 15), and another was abducted after a terror attack on their worksite, officials said. One of those who died was Ganesh Karmali, 39, from Jharkhand's Bokaro district. An activist from Jharkhand who has been working on the repatriation of the bodies told The Indian Express that the other man had been identified only as Krishnan from a southern Indian state. The abducted worker has been identified as Ranjeet Singh, hailing from Jammu and Kashmir. 'The Chief Minister has expressed concern over the abduction of Ranjeet Singh, a resident of Ramban, in Niger. He urges the Hon'ble EAM @DrSJaishankar and #MEAIndia to urgently intervene to secure Ranjeet's safe and swift return,' a post on X by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's Office said on July 20. The Indian Embassy in Niger said the Mission, in the capital city of Niamey, was in touch with local authorities to repatriate the mortal remains and ensure the safe release of the abducted Indian. It also advised all Indians in Niger to maintain vigilance. How many Indians are known to be in the country, and what is the prevailing political situation there? We explain. According to the Union Ministry of External Affairs, around 150 Indians are currently in Niger. They are mostly engaged in the hospitality/service/business sectors. This presents a decline from 2023, when around 250 Indians were in the country. The Associated Press reported that foreigners are increasingly becoming targets of armed groups in Niger. Several have been kidnapped this year, including an Austrian woman who has lived in Niger as an aid worker for more than 20 years, a Swiss woman seized from her home in April and five Indian workers, also in April. In its modern history, Niger received independence from French colonial rule in 1960. For a majority of its post-independence era, it has seen single-party rule, military coups and limited space for the survival of democratic governments. Bazoum Mohamed's 2021 victory in the presidential election marked the country's first transition from one democratically elected president to another. But it was short-lived, and Niger again saw a military coup in 2023 led by General Abdourahmane Tchiani, who was officially sworn in as the president in March this year. He is supposed to serve for a transitional period of five years. Even before the recent political upheaval, the Sahel region (which Niger is a part of) was facing problems like climate change, poverty and terrorism. Lying to the south of the Sahara desert, it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, including countries such as Nigeria, Senegal and Chad. It is also among the youngest regions of the world, with about 64% of the population under the age of 25. In some cases, the rise of terrorism has been cited in many countries as a justification for coups. Niger's western neighbours, Burkina Faso and Mali, also saw coups in 2022 and 2020, respectively. The AP also cited the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project as noting that June was one of the country's deadliest months on record. Islamic State-backed fighters launched a major offensive across the Tillaberi and Dosso regions, the latter being where Indians were killed. More than 100 civilians were killed in the exchange of fire. What complicates the existing issues is the presence of international actors. In an article for Foreign Policy in 2020, Samuel Ramani, an Associate Fellow at the Royal United Services Institute think tank, wrote, 'Instead of taking constructive steps to address the array of challenges facing the Sahel, great powers and regional institutions are exacerbating the region's problems.' 'Due to their intense focus on geostrategic competition and willingness to equate authoritarianism with stability, great powers such as France, the United States, Russia, and China, have actually perpetuated conditions, such as corruption and fragile state institutions, that contribute to rising political violence in the Sahel,' he added. One example is the Russian Wagner Group, which has supplied mercenaries to the region. On March 23 last year, Malian and Wagner Group soldiers launched a five-day attack on a border town to 'root out Islamist militants, killing more than three hundred civilians', according to the Council on Foreign Relations. According to a BBC report, the regional bloc ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) also imposed 'crippling sanctions' on Niger after 2023, such as border closures and a no-fly zone for all commercial flights. However, in January, Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger formally left the grouping. Historically, India and Niger had limited exchanges in terms of trade, but that has changed in recent years. The volume of trade has grown from around $95 million in 2018-19 to $203 million in 2022-23, and while Indian exports composed a major share seven years ago, of late the balance of trade is in Niger's favour. The main items being exported from Niger to India are Gum Arabic, Resins and other Vegetable saps and extracts, semi-precious stones, Oil seeds (Sesame), misc. grains, goat skins. etc. India has also extended Lines of Credit to Niger, for the construction of infrastructure and community projects. In 2020, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visited the country.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Govt Is Being Secretive': Congress Demands Op Sindoor Debate, Seeks PM Modi's Presence In Parl
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi criticised the government for not including Pahalgam and Operation Sindoor in the BAC meeting agenda at the start of the monsoon session. He said there was no clarity on when the discussion would take place or if the Prime Minister would be present. Gogoi accused the government of being secretive and ignoring repeated opposition demands, including for a special session. He stressed that the issue must be taken up on priority, especially after international comments on India's armed forces. Gogoi questioned the urgency of the PM's foreign tour, asking why the debate couldn't happen immediately in Parliament.#gauravgogoi #pahalgamattack #operationsindoor #monsoonsession #parliament #congress #nationalsecurity #toi #toibharat
India.com
17 minutes ago
- India.com
Not Chinese F-35 fighter jet, Pakistan working on dangerous 'invisible weapon', it is..., Asim Munir's dangerous plan is...
New Delhi: Pakistan is increasing its military strength after the conflict with India from 7-10 May this year. Pakistan, which failed to face India's attacks during Operation Sindoor, wants to avoid such a situation in future. In such a situation, the Pakistan Army is working on new plans. Till now it was being told in the Pakistani media that the Pakistan Army is working on strengthening its air defense and increasing the purchase of fighter planes from China. Now it has come to light that the Pakistani Army is working on creating an invisible network. Which weapon is Pakistan working on? Pakistan's defense website quwa has revealed in a report that the next big military project of the Pakistani Army is not around fighter aircraft but it is on creating an invisible network. The report says that the future of air power does not depend only on the speed, technology and weapon carrying capacity of the fighter aircraft. More important than this is the ability to sense the danger in time and take action first. What is Unseen Defence Network? The report says that the focus of the Pakistani Army is on creating an unseen defence network, which will help strengthen air defence. However, this will be extremely challenging for military planners. It will not be easy for the army to communicate and cooperate seamlessly during wartime, when an electromagnet strike can surprise at any time. This is the most important tension of modern air warfare. The Pakistani Army says that for effectiveness in the battlefield, broadcasting and networking huge amounts of sensor data across dozens of assets will have to be done and working with low electromagnet field profiles will have to be done. It should be invisible to the enemy's vigilant electronic support. Any aircraft or system that makes noise can face difficulty. What do experts say? The report says that there is a need to emphasize the technical and strategic imperative behind the development of the next generation tactical datalink (TDL). It is not just an upgrade of technology, but it is about creating an entirely new language of war. Pakistani defense experts believe that this is necessary for the country's Air Force (PAF) and defense industry to remain a credible army.
