Kozhikode: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor’s lyrical defence of idlis—in which he likened the South Indian staple to a Sachin Tendulkar century, a Beethoven symphony and an MF Husain painting—has not just charmed social media but also won him a surprise treat from food delivery giant Swiggy.

The debate began when a social media user dismissed the dish as “steamed regret.” Tharoor, armed with his trademark eloquence, shot back: 

“Poor soul has clearly never had a good one. A truly great idli is a cloud, a whisper, a perfect dream of the perfectibility of human civilisation.”

Describing the idli as “a delicate, weightless morsel of rice and lentil, steamed to ethereal fluffiness,” Tharoor compared it to India’s greatest artistic and cultural achievements.

Swiggy was quick to pick up on the poetic tribute. On Sunday (Sept 28), its delivery agents landed at the MP’s residence with piping hot parcels of idlis, later posting photos of Tharoor smiling with the special delivery. Matching his flourish, Swiggy too penned a grand Hindi note:

“यह हमारे लिए अत्यंत हर्ष का विषय है कि हमें श्री थरूर जी को क्षेत्र की सर्वश्रेष्ठ इडली परोसने का अवसर प्राप्त हुआ। … इन पाक-कला के अनुपम चमत्कारों से उन्हें परमानंद की स्थिति मिली होगी।”

This isn’t Tharoor’s first public ode to the idli. Earlier this month, he shared a photo from Vienna, where he relished morning idli breakfasts at the city’s popular Indian eatery, Prosi.

For Tharoor, it seems, the idli is not just food—it’s philosophy, poetry, and perfection on a plate.