My sense of hunger came from New York, not India: Chef Vikas Khanna's savage reply to BBC anchor resurfaces
An old video of popular US-based Indian chef Vikas Khanna has surfaced online where he could be seen giving a savage reply to a BBC anchor when he asked during a 2021 interview if his sense of hunger comes from India.
The interview dates back to a time when Khanna had launched the ‘Feed India’ initiative to provide food and support to people in need amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the conversation, the anchor could be heard asking Khanna: "But it was not always that way, was it? You are not from a rich family. So, I dare say, you understand how precarious it can be in India.
On the question if his sense of hunger came from India, the celebrity chef replied, “My sense of hunger came from New York”.
Khanna said: "My sense of hunger came from living in America, more than India." He mentioned the difficulty he faced while living in America post 9/11 as a brown kid. He reminded the anchor that he was born and raised in Amritsar where the community kitchens (langar) can feed the entire city.
Khanna himself shared the video on Instagram and wrote praising India's rich diversity.
"As this is trending worldwide, I must address this issue. Every nation has its greatness & faults. India is so, so multidimensional & multicultural. One of the fastest-growing economies. Our cuisine is valued as our greatest soft power, our family structure, spiritual power & wisdom, literature, science, research, technology, music, culture has defined its space in the World," Khanna said.
"Our Chefs are ruling the global stages & our role in the World of science & technology is symbolic to who we are & our educational systems. But somehow this is the only question significant to some," he said.
Netizens, including celebrities, praised Khanna for his response.
Singer Shreya Ghoshal wrote in the comment section: " What a dignified and befitting reply! @vikaskhannagroup 🩷 it’s a shame that an anchor of such a reputed channel could be so delusional and disrespectful."
Rapper Badshah said: "And that is why we love you so much paaji."
IBNS
Senior Staff Reporter at Northeast Herald, covering news from Tripura and Northeast India.
Related Articles

As Iran-US war disrupts global gas supply, India issues guidelines to manage shortages
The ongoing war between Iran and the United States in the Middle East has disrupted the global supply of natural gas, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining a conflict zone for over two weeks.

Mumbai dentistry student dies by suicide, note alleges mental harassment by boyfriend
A 24-year-old postgraduate dentistry student allegedly died by suicide at her home in Mumbai’s Antop Hill area, with a suicide note indicating that she had been facing mental harassment from her boyfriend, media reports said.

Kolkata: Mamata calls off dharna against SIR after five days, says ‘fight for justice’ will continue
Kolkata/IBNS: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday called off her sit-in protest in Kolkata's downtown Esplanade area after five days, bringing an end to a high-profile demonstration over the SIR issue.

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers resigns three months after operational meltdown
New Delhi/IBNS: India’s largest airline IndiGo has announced the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer, Pieter Elbers, marking a significant leadership change for the company.
Latest News

Trump says Iran’s new Leader Mojtaba Khamenei ‘won’t live in peace’, calls appointment ‘unacceptable’

Canada and Ontario launch $228.8M program to support workers hit by global tariffs

As Iran-US war disrupts global gas supply, India issues guidelines to manage shortages

Assam receiving new Railway strength under leadership of Prime Minister Modi

