Visakhapatnam: Online food delivery platforms have liberated women from traditional and sometimes, sexist, roles by importantly liberating them from the kitchen in the run-up to Sankranti.
The instant availability of a wide range of traditional foods has allowed women to actively participate in and enjoy family celebrations without being burdened with elaborate food preparations.
Homemakers said that traditionally, Sankranti needs a week-long preparation of dishes, particularly ‘Pindi Vantalu’, i.e., batter-based cooking for making sweets and savoury items.
Rama Santoshi, owner of Santoshi Foods at Visakhapatnam, shared insights into the online shift. “This year, we witnessed a significant increase in orders compared to the past year. In the past week alone, we received more than 50 orders, indicating a growing trend of relying on online platforms for festival preparations.”
Suhasini Anand, a spokesperson for the AP BJP, emphasised the broader societal implications of this shift in gender roles.
“In the contemporary era, traditional gender roles are evolving, and women are emancipating themselves from conventional norms. Festivals and holidays are witnessing a transformation in the roles of women, who, being educated and employed, actively contribute to family celebrations,” she said.
Anand credited the role of online platforms in this paradigm shift, saying, “Online platforms act as a boon for women by providing flexibility to manage both professional and domestic responsibilities. This change not only benefits women but also contributes to a positive work-life balance for both genders in the modern context.”
