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The Art of Grocery Shopping: A Diplomatic Mission By An IFS Officer

Retired IFS officer Mohan Pargaien's viral grocery list, crafted by his wife, showcases meticulous detail with humorous instructions. Netizens are amused, praising the precision and humor in this everyday task.
Indian Masterminds Stories

The viral post of the handwritten grocery list by retired Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer of 1990 batch, Mr Mohan Pargaien has taken the internet by storm. With an impressive display of precision, Pargaien’s wife meticulously detailed every item on the list, turning a simple grocery run into a tactical operation.

The list’s specificity – “some yellow, some red” tomatoes, “medium size” potatoes without “eyes of green colour,” and “good leaves, no holes” Fenugreek—has garnered a mixture of amusement and awe from netizens. Clearly, the grocery store wasn’t just a shopping destination; it was an arena where no detail was too small and no instruction too trivial.

Pargaien’s post on social media site ‘X’, captioned humorously as “While going to the market for vegetables, my wife shared this stating that I could use it as a guide,” struck a chord with many. The internet’s reactions ranged from admiration for the wife’s organizational skills to light-hearted jabs at the sheer thoroughness of the list.

One user joked about the list’s resemblance to military-grade instructions, saying, “If she was in the armed forces, this would be General Staff Qualitative Requirements.” Another commenter appreciated the list’s utility for grocery novices, remarking, “That’s something really helpful for the beginners in sabzi market.”

In a follow-up post, Mr. Mohan shared an intriguing detail about the list’s origin. He replied: “Origin of this now traced back to this account 👇which was forwarded by my wife via WA university 😊. Sharing it. Thanks @eralondhe. Keep sharing 👌” This added another layer of interest to the story, connecting the list to a broader network and further engaging his audience.

The most amusing response likened the list to a sacred manuscript, with one user quipping, “That looks like a religious book written by great scholars. Scary if something goes wrong.” And in a nod to the classic grocery store bargaining tactic, another user noted the “icing on the cake” with a playful suggestion to “Ask for free.”

In a world where grocery lists can often be mere afterthoughts, Pargaien’s post highlights how even the simplest tasks can be approached with remarkable attention to detail. It also serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked but crucial role of the humble grocery run in the grand tapestry of daily life.

As the post continues to make the rounds, it’s clear that the real winner here is not just the thorough list but the warmth and humor it brought to the internet, proving once again that sometimes, the smallest details can spark the biggest smiles.


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