Japan’s Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Keiichi Ono, shared a photograph of himself enjoying Bihar’s iconic traditional dish, litti chokha, during his ongoing visit to the state. The image, posted on Monday on X (formerly Twitter), was accompanied by a caption in Bhojpuri, where the diplomat declared: “Gajab Swad Ba” – meaning “Great taste.”
“Namaste, Bihar! Finally had the chance to try the world-famous Litti Chokha – Gajab Swad Ba,” Ambassador Ono wrote, alongside a photograph of him relishing the dish. His use of the regional dialect, in addition to his appreciation of the local cuisine, struck a chord with social media users and quickly turned his post into a viral moment.
The image has since gone viral and continues to draw responses lauding the diplomat’s gesture.
“You’ve won hearts in Bihar today,” one user commented. Another wrote, “This is soft diplomacy at its finest.” Some users offered further culinary suggestions, urging him to sample sattu paratha and thekua on his visit. Others complimented his Bhojpuri diction, noting, “That accent is on point!”
One user remarked, “When a Japanese envoy praises our litti-chokha, we know our heritage is global.” Another added, “Gajab! Now even foreigners know what we eat with pride.” Several others thanked the ambassador for spotlighting Bihari food culture: “Sir, litti chokha is one of the amazing flavours of India. Let me be your host and I will show you other amazing flavours too!”
Some users even offered advice to further enhance the ambassador’s culinary experience. “Next time eat with your hand to feel the actual taste of Indian dishes,” one user recommended. Another suggested, “I highly recommend trying the Champaran-style mutton from Bihar; it’s a delicious dish that you won’t regret experiencing.”
Commenting on the ambassador’s approach, one post read: “Somehow Japanese ambassadors have cracked the formula of being the best ambassadors.”
In addition to experiencing the region’s cuisine, Ambassador Ono also highlighted his official engagements in Bihar. In a separate post on X, he detailed a visit to the Bihar National Highway Improvement Project, an infrastructure initiative supported by the Government of Japan. He was accompanied by the Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency.
“Together with the Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency, I visited the Bihar National Highway Improvement Project, funded by the Govt of Japan. The project is expected to greatly reduce travel time within the state and contribute significantly to its tourism and economy,” he wrote.
Ambassador Ono’s outreach mirrors the public diplomacy efforts of his predecessor, former Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki, whose videos of tasting pani puri and a Banarasi thali in Varanasi went viral in 2023.
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