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NDTV
2 hours ago
- Business
- NDTV
NDTV Exclusive: How Rs 5 Indian Biscuit Is Being Sold For Rs 2,400 In Gaza
New Delhi: Parle-G biscuits, a staple in Indian households, associated with childhood, tea breaks, and low-cost nutrition, were never intended to be a luxury. But in wartorn Gaza, where food scarcity has turned into acute famine, they are being sold at nearly 500 times their original price. In a recent viral post from Gaza, a man claimed that Parle G biscuits, manufactured by Mumbai-headquartered Parle Products, are being sold for over 24 euros (Rs 2,342). Many on social media were baffled by the cost of the biscuits that have consistently been among the cheapest foods in the Indian market. "After a long wait, I finally got Ravif her favorite biscuits today. Even though the price jumped from 1.5 euros to over 24 euros, I just couldn't deny Rafif her favorite treat," the viral post read. After a long wait, I finally got Ravif her favorite biscuits today. Even though the price jumped from €1.5 to over €24, I just couldn't deny Rafif her favorite treat. — Mohammed jawad 🇵🇸 (@Mo7ammed_jawad6) June 1, 2025 A Manufactured Famine Following the October 2023 escalation and Israel's military campaign that began shortly thereafter, Gaza's access to food has been systematically reduced. Between March 2 and May 19 this year, the besieged Palestinian enclave faced a near-total blockade. Only a limited number of humanitarian trucks were allowed through, most of them after intense international pressure. Israel, which accuses Hamas, the political and militant group within Gaza, of seizing and weaponising aid, had suspended traditional UN food deliveries. Instead, a controversial and heavily criticised alternative was introduced on May 27 - the Secure Distribution Site 1 (SDS1) model, developed by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), which, according to the French daily Le Monde, is a joint initiative backed by the US, Switzerland, and Israel. The SDS1, located in Rafah, features caged corridors forcing Palestinians into narrow queues, guarded perimeters manned by Safe Reach Solutions, a US-based private security firm, which has been accused of carrying out intelligence operations in Gaza using Israeli data. But how much aid reaches the truly hungry? How many aid boxes are being sold on the black market for inflated prices? The Black Market Reality The steep pricing is not limited to Parle-G, which is an export from a country located roughly 4,300 km away. "The problem isn't with the original suppliers or taxation," Dr. Khaled Alshawwa, a 31-year-old surgeon based in Gaza City, told NDTV. "These goods usually enter Gaza as humanitarian aid, free of charge. But only a minority receives them. Scarcity turns them into high-priced black market goods." Mr Alshawwa, managed to get his hands on a packet of Parle-G biscuits, which he said cost him roughly Rs 240. Different locations, different prices depending on who the seller is. "The closure of borders for more than three months now has allowed only a scarce amount of very basic needs that don't meet the needs of 2 million people. So when some people are able to get some, or when looting happens, these foods are being sold at very high, unaffordable prices." Dr Alshawwa told NDTV. Parle-G, it appears, likely arrived through aid shipments, eventually landing in the hands of a few vendors who sold it at prices unreachable to most Gazans. NDTV has reached out to the company for a statement. A rough breakdown of current market prices (in INR) of some important products from northern Gaza as of June 6, 2025: 1 kg sugar: Rs 4,914 1 litre cooking oil: Rs 4,177 1 kg potatoes: Rs 1,965 1 kg onions: Rs 4,423 1 coffee cup: Rs 1,800 A list sourced by NDTV from Gaza shows basic commodities and groceries being sold at exorbitant prices. The prices are mentioned in the new Israeli shekel. the local currency. One Israeli shekel translates to 24.57 Indian rupees Why Parle-G Matters Parle-G is more than food. It is nostalgia wrapped in paper. Launched in 1938, the biscuit emerged during India's Swadeshi movement as a local alternative to elite British snacks. It became a national equaliser, a biscuit anyone could afford. Over the decades, Parle-G has managed to retain its low price tag thanks to 'shrinkflation' economics - reducing weight while maintaining price. A Rs 5 packet that once held 100 grams now contains about 55 grams. Still, it remains among the cheapest packaged food products in India. In 2013, Parle-G became the first Indian FMCG brand to cross Rs 5,000 crore in sales. By 2011, it was the world's largest selling biscuit by volume, according to Nielsen.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Rajkummar Rao had just Rs 18 in Mumbai! "My mother supported me a lot," revealed the actor
Rajkummar Rao , one of Bollywood's most acclaimed actors today, once opened up about the intense financial struggles he faced during the early days of his acting journey. During an old podcast, the actor offered an emotional throwback to a time when he had only Rs 18 in his bank account, unsure where his next meal would come from. Surviving Mumbai on biscuits and juice Rajkummar, during his conversation with Ranveer Allahabadia, recalled how, in the absence of steady work, he often skipped lunch and sustained himself with just a packet of Parle G biscuits and a Frooti, a meal that cost only ₹4 back then. "My mother supported me a lot. Whenever I ran out of money, she would somehow arrange it and send it to me," he shared. The actor lived in a flat with two others, keeping expenses minimal while chasing a dream that often seemed out of reach. Turning to Friends for Dinner Reflecting on his lowest moment, when he was left with just ₹18, Rajkummar remembered calling friends from his FTII network in Mumbai, asking if he could join them for dinner. 'A lot of seniors and juniors live here. So, you can ring anybody and ask what they're having for dinner and if you can come,' he said, highlighting the unspoken bond of support among struggling artists. Cycling 70 Km a Day with Dreams in His Pocket The actor also reminisced about his early training days at Shri Ram Centre in Delhi, where he began studying acting at age 18. Unaware of how to get a subsidized student bus pass, Rajkummar cycled 70 km daily to attend classes. To stay motivated, he would listen to inspirational songs like Lakshya Ko Har Haal Mein Pana Hai and Papa Kehte Hain on his walkman. 'It sounds filmy now,' he said, 'but it used to be a lot of fun.' First Salary at Age 13 In another candid moment, Rajkummar recalled how he earned ₹300 tutoring a young girl when he was in the 8th standard, his first salary, which he used to buy groceries for his family. Today, those small sacrifices form the foundation of a remarkable journey from hardship to stardom. On the work front, Rajkummar was last seen in the recently released film 'Bhool Chuk Maaf'. Rajkumar Rao spotted in the Cit of Joy Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
