Croeso i India. This is the second programme in a series of four presented by Beth Angell who has a special interest in the country as her grandfather and grandmother were missionaries here in Bryniau Casia (the Khasi Hills) in the 1930s.
The world has been stunned by the growth in the India economy oiver the last ten years – but India has always been a trading nation.
In Wales, the rich taste and colour of Indian food is very much appreciated.
It is strange to think, therefore, that the new middle class in India are now turning to fast food. Their new busy lifestyle doesn’t allow for traditional food preparation.
India is now seeing an increase in diabetes. In one clinic, 50 new cases are identified every day. There are fears that the number of diabetes sufferers could rise to 75 million by 2029.
Not all the fast food is unhealthy. Those following the Jain faith refuse to harm any living creature so in Mumbai, special restaurants and delivery services have sprung up to cater for their needs in the busy modern age.
As the gap between the rich and the poor widens in India, steps have to be taken to ensure that children are nourished. In the Khasi hills a lunch scheme has been set up in local schools to provide food – and to tempt children to attend school.
The education system in the area was first established by missionaries like Beth’s grandfather. It was a Welshman who first put the Khasi language on paper. It had been solely a spoken language up to that point.
In areas such as the Khasi hills, the economy is still based on traditional produce. Thirty per cent of the world’s tea is grown in India. The drive to work and make money is not as obvious here as in the busy cities.
Interestingly, those taking the reins in areas like the Khasi hills are women like Shariti Syiem. This, after all, is a matriarchal society.
