The UAE and India have enjoyed historic and cultural ties for over 350 years. As both nations share centuries-old ties of commerce, culture and kinship, the UAE has derived a number of cultural elements from India. Most significant was the food. If there's no Indian meal in the modern Emirati house - which rarely happens - there's Emirati food influenced from India. Chicken machboos, for example, is similar to the Indian chicken biryani, which is widely popular among Emiratis.

The students shared their experience in India till now and expressed their love towards the food and festivals, especially Navaratra and Diwali, and how much they love India. "Indian food is quite spicy but we can't resist ourselves from eating dosa, poha and samosa. We just love It." they said.

Every community in India has its own recipes, spices and cooking techniques. Or regions and states have the same general dish - but with their own unique twist. But food is not just limited to feasting. Indians stay focused on food even when fasting. [...] Indians also use food as a beautiful way of honouring the dead and celebrating life.

India has organised a week-long Indian culinary week here to showcase the country's wide ranging food habits as part of cultural interaction with Israel. The programme by the Indian Embassy here in collaboration with Israel's leading hotel chain Dan Hotels was inaugurated on Sunday. Celebrity chef Sanjeev Kapoor, 52, is showcasing the wide ranging food habits prevalent in India.