After GI tag, exports will get boost’
*J&K Saffron admired since Akbar’s time: PM
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 27: Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today the Government will make Kashmiri Saffron a globally popular brand as it is famous as a spice that has many medicinal properties and was also recently launched in supermarket in Dubai giving boost to its exports.
In his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ Radio address, which was last of this year, Modi devoted a good part of his speech to Kashmiri saffron and also referred to a story of `Akbar Durbar’ to highlight its significance.
Asserting that the Kashmiri Saffron is mainly grown in Pulwama, Budgam and Kishtwar districts, he said it has been given the Geographical Indication (GI) Tag.
“Through this, we want to make Kashmiri Saffron a globally popular brand. The Kashmiri Saffron is globally famous as a spice that has many medicinal properties. It has a strong aroma, its color is deep dark and its threads are long and thick which enhances its medicinal value,” the Prime Minister said.
Saying that Kashmiri Saffron represents rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, Modi said it’s quality is unique and completely different from the Saffron of other countries.
“You will be delighted to know that after obtaining the GI Tag certificates, Kashmiri Saffron was launched in a supermarket in Dubai. Now it’s exports will get a boost. This will further strengthen our efforts to build an Atamnirbhar Bharat. Farmers growing Saffron will be especially benefitted by this,” he added.
Modi cited the example of Abdul Majeed Wani, a resident of Shar area of Tral in South Kashmir’s Pulwama district saying he is selling his GI tagged Saffron with the help of National Saffron Mission at the Trading Centre in Pampore through e-trading.
He added that many people like Wani are involved in this activity in Kashmir.
The Prime Minister has a word of advice for the people.
“Next time you decide to buy Saffron, think of buying Saffron from Kashmir! Only the warmth of Kashmiri people is such that it imparts a unique and distinct flavour to the Saffron,” he said.
The Prime Minister quoted a story of ‘Akbar darbar’ on the importance of Kashmiri Saffron.
“It is said that there was a prominent courtier in the court of Akbar named Abul Fazi. After a visit to Kashmir, he once remarked that the place had one such scenic view that could uplift the mood of the most irritable and bad-tempered people, making them rejoice. In fact, he was referring to the Saffron fields in Kashmir. Saffron has been associated with Kashmir for centuries,” the Prime Minister said.
It may be mentioned here that Kashmir Saffron was given the GI tag by the Geographical Indications Registry, Government of India on May 1, 2020 on an application filed by the Directorate of Agriculture, J&K Government.
First time after Kashmiri Saffron obtained GI certification and tested for its authenticity, export from Kashmir valley took place to UAE where Navin K Choudhary, Principal Secretary Agriculture and allied sector along with Dr Aman Puri, Counsul General of India to Dubai and Northern Emirates launched the Kashmiri Saffron on December 8 at Al Maya Supermarket in Dubai.
Meanwhile, Modi urged people to substitute foreign-made products they use with items produced in India, and said they should make this resolution for the country in the new year.
He said people have supported the ‘vocal for local’ campaign started by his Government as part of its ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ programme and asked manufacturers and industry leaders to ensure that world-class products are made in the country.
The outgoing year saw the spirit of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ echo in society, he said.
“The call of ‘vocal for local’ is reverberating in each and every household…In such a scenario, it is time to ensure that our products meet global standards,” he said, sharing feedback from people about the campaign.
Urging people to prepare a list of items they use and find out those which were manufactured abroad, he said they should substitute them with ‘made in India’ products.
“Let us find out their substitutes made in India and decide that henceforth we shall use products made with the hard work and sweat of the people of India. You make New Year resolutions every year. This time one has to certainly make a resolution for the country,” the Prime Minister said.
He said many shopkeepers have been selling products like toys with the emphasis that they are made in India and customers are also demanding them.
“Indeed, this is a big transformation in mindset. A huge change has begun in the minds of our countrymen, that too within a year,” he said.
Noting that the issue of single-use plastic could not be discussed much due to the COVID-19 pandemic this year, he asserted that ridding the country of single-use plastic is one of the resolves for the new year.
During his address, he also paid tributes to several revered Sikh personalities, including sons of Guru Gobind Singh, saying their sacrifices helped keep our culture safe.
“We pay tributes to the brave Chaar Sahibzaade, we remember Mata Gujri, we recall the greatness of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. We remain indebted to these greats for their sacrifices and their spirit of compassion,” he said.
The Prime Minister also touched on the subject of wildlife conservation.
Noting that the population of leopards in India has increased by over 60 per cent between 2014 and 2018, from 7,900 to 12,852, Modi described this as a big achievement for the year.
He added that in the past few years, the population of lions and tigers too has increased and so has India’s forest cover.
Speaking of the feedback he received for his ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast on multiple platforms, he said the common factor has been that people have commended the country’s capabilities and the collective strength of the countrymen during the pandemic.
A novel experiment like ‘Janta curfew’ became an “inspiration” for the whole world, he said.
Millions of people across the country had stayed home on March 22 on the Prime minister’s appeal for a ‘Janta curfew’ to check the spread of Coronavirus.
The Prime Minister also noted that teachers have prepared creative course material in this period of online studies, and asked them to upload these materials on the Diksha portal of the Education Ministry.
This will help students who are staying in far-flung areas of the country a lot, he said.
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