ISLAMABAD: In the wake of heightened national sentiment after Operation Sindoor, patriotism in India has found its way into dessert menus.
Several well-known sweet shops in Jaipur have taken a bold — and some say bizarre — step by renaming traditional sweets by removing the suffix ‘pak’.
‘Pak’ Out, ‘Shree’ In
Leading the charge is Tyohaar Sweets in Vaishali Nagar. Known for its premium handcrafted desserts, the shop has renamed iconic sweets like Mysore Pak, Moti Pak, and Gond Pak.
The new versions? Mysore Shree, Moti Shree, and Gond Shree.
Owner Anjali Jain explained the decision, saying, “Patriotism should live in every Indian heart and home — even in what we eat.” The shop claims this change reflects national pride and a response to the ongoing tensions with Pakistan.
What ‘Pak’ Really Means
The term ‘pak’ in Indian sweets doesn’t have any political connection. It originates from the Sanskrit word paka, meaning ‘to cook’, and is used in Kannada to describe the sugar syrup base essential in Indian confections.
Despite its culinary roots, some customers reportedly began feeling uncomfortable with the term ‘pak’, prompting the changes.
Other Shops Join the Trend
Bombay Misthan Bhandar and Agarwal Caterers quickly followed suit, scrubbing ‘pak’ from their sweet offerings. Vineet Trikha, GM of Bombay Misthan Bhandar, stated, “This is our sweet form of protest.
Every Indian must respond to threats in their own way — even through sweets.”
Internet Reacts With Confusion and Comedy
While the shops call it a patriotic move, the internet has responded with a mix of confusion, amusement, and memes.
Linguists and food lovers were quick to point out the misinterpretation of ‘pak’.
Language expert Abhishek Avtans took to social media to clarify: “Pak in Mysore Pak comes from Kannada, not Pakistan.”
As the renaming trend continues, one thing is clear — in India, even mithai isn’t safe from politics.
