‘Kunda’ helps Belgaum make big moolah

The three-day Vishwa Kannada Sammelana (VKS), which ended on Sunday, has brought Rs100 crore business to Belgaum, riding on sweet-toothed people craving for ‘Kunda’, a popular sweet which became one by default.

It was negligence on part of a sweet-maker-cum-seller, six decades ago, that brought in Rs10 crore of booty for Belgaum thanks to the VKS. In the early 1950s, Jakku Marwadi ‘Mithaiwala’, who set up a sweetmeat shop in Belgaum, once forgot to switch off the stove while boiling milk. The milk continued boiling till it took a mashed potato-like residual form, called ‘khoa’ in Kannada (‘Paletu’ in Tamil, ‘khovaa’ in Telugu). Jakku knew he had erred but still added flavours he intended to and served some people who instantly liked it. He had to give it a name – Kunda.

Belgaum Kunda Manufacturers’ Association said over Rs10 crore worth of Kunda was sold in just three days during the VKS, and a range of outstation delegates including several politicians have placed bulk orders for it.

“Sale was 10 times more than what we expected. There is big demand form overseas guests and we are unable to meet the demand,” said Raj K Purohit, head of Camp Purohit, a leading Kunda-seller. Jaideep Siddannavar, chairman, Belgaum Chamber of Commerce said VKS brought in Rs100 crore of business to Belgaum in three days, the hospitality industry benefiting the most.