PM Narendra Modi Birthday Special: Make His Favourite Khichdi At Home And Know Its Health Benefits

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As Prime Minister Narendra Modi celebrates his 76th birthday today on September 17, 2026, his food preferences offer an interesting glimpse into one of the simpler sides of his life. Among the dishes he has spoken about liking is khichdi - a humble combination of rice and dal that is a familiar comfort food across India.

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In a 2012 interaction, when asked about his food habits, Modi spoke about eating whatever was available while travelling across the country and said, "I like Khichdi very much. But then, I eat whatever I get." He has also recalled cooking simple meals, including khichdi, during his younger years.

From a nutritional perspective, the traditional dish has plenty going for it. When prepared with a good proportion of dal, vegetables and moderate amounts of oil or ghee, khichdi can make for a balanced and satisfying meal.

How To Make A Simple Moong Dal Khichdi

Ingredients:

• ½ cup rice
• ½ cup yellow moong dal
• 1 small carrot, chopped
• ½ cup peas or other vegetables
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ghee or oil
• Salt to taste
• 4-5 cups water
• A little grated ginger, optional

Method: Wash the rice and dal and soak them for 15-20 minutes. Heat the ghee or oil in a pressure cooker and add cumin seeds and ginger. Add the vegetables, rice, dal, turmeric, salt and water. Pressure cook until the rice and dal become soft. Add hot water if you prefer a thinner consistency and serve warm.

What Makes Khichdi A Nutritious Meal?

1. Carbohydrates plus plant protein: Rice provides carbohydrates for energy, while moong dal contributes plant protein, fibre, folate, iron and other micronutrients. The combination also brings together complementary amino-acid profiles. Pulses are relatively rich in lysine, while cereals provide more sulphur-containing amino acids. Combining the two can therefore improve overall protein quality. ICMR-NIN's 2024 Dietary Guidelines recommend accompanying cereal- or millet-based diets with adequate pulses or beans for good-quality protein and fibre.
2. The dal adds dietary fibre: Moong dal provides dietary fibre, which supports normal bowel function, contributes to fullness and can slow digestion and carbohydrate absorption. However, the amount of fibre depends on the quantity of dal and whether vegetables are included. A rice-heavy khichdi will naturally provide less fibre than one containing more dal and vegetables.
3. It can be filling: The protein and fibre supplied by pulses can contribute to satiety. This can make a dal-rich khichdi satisfying, although it should not be described as a weight-loss food on its own. Portion size, total calories and the amount of ghee or oil still matter.
4. Vegetables make it more nutrient-dense: Carrots, peas, spinach, beans, pumpkin and other vegetables can add fibre, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. A vegetable-packed moong dal khichdi therefore offers more nutritional variety than a basic rice-and-dal preparation.
5. It can be relatively low in fat: A simple khichdi made with rice, dal, vegetables and a small amount of oil or ghee can be relatively low in saturated fat. However, adding generous amounts of ghee, butter, cream or fried toppings changes its nutritional profile considerably.

A Simple Dish With A Nutritional Edge

Khichdi may be one of India's simplest meals, but its basic rice-and-dal combination gives it a useful nutritional foundation. Adding vegetables and keeping the amount of added fat moderate can make it an even more balanced meal.

As PM Modi celebrates his 76th birthday today, it is a fitting time to revisit one of the simple, comforting dishes he enjoys most.