There are many things people associate with Indian food, but dal rarely gets the spotlight. It is not flashy, it is not festive, and it is rarely photographed with the same excitement as biryani or butter chicken. Yet for most Indians, dal feels non-negotiable. Especially when you live abroad, that feeling becomes even stronger. Republic Day has a way of bringing everyday India back into focus, and dal sits right at the centre of it.
Dal Is Everyday India
Dal is not special food. And that is exactly why it matters. In Indian homes, dal shows up quietly, day after day. It is cooked without much discussion, eaten without much thought, and missed deeply when it is not there. Dal recipes India vary from region to region, but the habit stays the same. There is comfort in knowing what the meal will feel like before you even sit down.
Living Abroad Makes Dal Feel More Important
Outside India, meals change. Ingredients change. Kitchens change. But dal remains adaptable. It works with limited space, fewer utensils, and busy schedules. When you live abroad, cooking dal becomes a way to bring structure back into your day. It is filling, familiar, and forgiving.
Dal Is Balance, Not Just Food
Dal represents balance in Indian meals. Protein without heaviness. Comfort without excess. It pairs easily with rice or chapati and fits into almost any routine. Indian dal is not about indulgence. It is about nourishment that feels steady and reliable.
Access to Dal Keeps Routines Alive
When you live overseas, having access to proper dals matters more than you expect. Toor dal, moong dal, masoor dal. Being able to order these through an indian store online means dal does not become a once-in-a-while meal. It stays part of everyday life, the way it was meant to be.
Final Thought
Dal feels mandatory in Indian meals because it represents everyday India. Not celebrations, not festivals, but routine. On Republic Day, that routine feels worth holding onto. Sometimes, staying connected starts with something as simple as a pot of dal on the stove, made possible by having access to familiar ingredients through Dookan.