Latest update January 13th, 2025 3:10 AM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Different uses for rice and wheat flour

Jun 16, 2011 Letters

Dear Editor,
I write in response to the editor’s note attached to “The ban (of flour) affected Hindus” (KN June 15).  As I penned in earlier commentaries, Indians (Hindus) rely on different kinds of grounded grains (wheat, pulses, etc.) for their diet and religious practices.  So in India, as it is in other countries where Indians are settled, Indians (Hindus) do not rely exclusively (or explicitly) on wheat flour.  Ground rice was used and is still being used but for purposes different from those required in making items from wheat.
In Guyana, it was a fact that Indians milled rice and ground rice into rice flour.  I grew up on a rice and sugar plantation and was involved in growing both.  I milled rice. As my nani and other senior citizens informed me, ground rice was used for the preparation of satwa and other products.  Wheat flour was used for making roti, rote, mohanbhog, sirni, maleda, jalebi, mithai, offerings to the Gods, etc.
It is understandable that during the wars, flour was scarce and as such restrictions were placed on dietary and religious practices.  The use of Satwa was prevalent. Older people inform me that the Indians did their best to hold on to their cultural practices. But that does not give any government the right to ban essential items required in the cultural, dietary, or religious practices of any group.
Such an action is tantamount to cultural and religious genocide and is hardly different from what obtains in several countries in Europe and Africa in recent years.
The government officials who deliberately engaged in such acts should be brought to justice.
Vishnu Bisram

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | January, 10th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Kennard Memorial Turf Club releases Race dates for 2025

Jan 13, 2025

Kaieteur Sports – The prestigious Kennard Memorial Turf Club (KMTC) situated at Bush Lot Farm Corentyne Berbice has released its racing dates for the year 2025. The club which is one of the...
Read More
Region Six Education Department Renews Golf Initiative with Guyana Golf Association

Region Six Education Department Renews Golf...

Jan 13, 2025

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional C/ships with fifties

Savory, Persaud show class ahead of Regional...

Jan 12, 2025

Spectators experience and playing standards high on the agenda says Minister Ramson

Spectators experience and playing standards high...

Jan 12, 2025

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open Officially Declared Open

Archery Guyana’s 2024 Senior Barebow Open...

Jan 12, 2025

Body of Chinese national who fell from new Demerara River bridge recovered

Body of Chinese national who fell from new...

Jan 11, 2025

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]