ARUNACHAL FOOD-HABITS: THE BASIS OF OUR EXISTENCE
Life evolves in places laden with the best of natural conditions. Nevertheless, every place is unique in itself, and the environmental conditions, i.e. locality factors favor particular life forms which are coincidentally the most suitable and adaptable to the area. Over the years, as a result of series of events in the environmental conditions, these life forms undergo gradual transformation morphologically as well as physiologically, thus adding new dimension to their typical characteristic traits. It is the quintessence of evolutionary process.
Food-habit of the organism is one of the crucial characteristic traits. The organism through the ages has developed its food-habits based on palatability, taste, choice, preference, as also the availability and suitability of food-items or diets. One more essential aspect of organism’s distinct food-habit is food’s inevitability in meeting organism’s nutritional requirement. So, the food-habit is actually the deliberate choice, from variety of food sources, which forms the basis of survival and existence of any life forms or living organisms. As such, any abrupt change in the food-habit, which is not in accordance or tune with the locality factors, is found to interfere with the physiological processes for the worse. Consequently, a threat of extinction looms large over the entire community. Thus, sticking to and propagating food-habit, and gradually adding new ones over times are indispensable for the progress of human civilization.
In our case, Arunachalee, our food-habit is as old as our own evolution to present day. In other words, our evolution to present day is the outcome of our distinct food-habit. Physically, chemically, biologically, psychologically and also emotionally, we are inter-twined with our locality and all its variables. Therefore, Arunachalee food-habit is a part and parcel of our evolution and future existence. Our food-habit reflects our distinctness, and also the evidence of our age-old struggle, perseverance and achievements.
As the modernization dawns on our land, our life-style has experienced a big about-turn. Our traditional food-habit is the one that has suffered most as a result of changing life-style. We are switching our food-habit and this shift is at the cost of both our own physical health as well as indigenous food-habit. This is what is exactly happening with us presently. These changes, on one hand, may look full of luster and glow, but, on the other hand, they are not without ill consequences. As the popular saying goes- Everything that glitters is not gold- the same can be extrapolated in the case of changing food-habits of Arunachal. Unfortunately, our own age-old achievements that are our identifying marks and pillars of our existence are, suddenly, seemingly inferior to those of others. This is the biggest reason why our traditional food-habits are ignored at alarming rate. We are not realizing the fact that what we are, is all because of our food-habit. We are still ignorant, rather deliberately, as ignorance is bliss, that our food-habit is the course or way through which we tread or meander through the landscape of worldly existence. In simple words, we are ourselves undermining our traditional food-habit which tantamount to denying ourselves of our true identity and pushing ourselves on the threshold of extinction.
There is also economic tinge associated with the proliferation of our Arunachalee food-habits. Economics is highly in favor of our traditional food items and stuffs. How? Since our food habits are indigenous, natural food sources are present here itself, which enjoy the favor of local environmental conditions. In addition, we have indigenous expertise and knowledge accumulated over generations about domestication and rearing of these foods which can further be enriched. This ensures easy cultivation, production, and abundant availability. Consequently, the transportation cost of bringing these food-items and food-stuffs will be relatively cheaper. Besides, our food items are still original, i.e. they are not yet exposed to chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers, and accordingly, provide requisite nutrients to us more in amount and quality. Our physical stoutness, swiftness, and mental toughness are the proofs.
As a cascading effect, the propagation of Arunachalee food habits will definitely find demand and market which, in turn, will benefit our own people. People will get employment and livelihood. It’s, therefore, high time to realize this fact by each individual, and accordingly contribute, in his/her own way by taking, having, buying and eating any of Arunachalee food-habits (food-items and food-stuffs), towards propagation of Arunachalee food-habits. Essentially, it implies marching forward towards future with our identity and root simultaneously.
------NYALI ETE (M. Sc. FORESTRY),
DEHRADUN, UTTARANCHAL.
Food-habit of the organism is one of the crucial characteristic traits. The organism through the ages has developed its food-habits based on palatability, taste, choice, preference, as also the availability and suitability of food-items or diets. One more essential aspect of organism’s distinct food-habit is food’s inevitability in meeting organism’s nutritional requirement. So, the food-habit is actually the deliberate choice, from variety of food sources, which forms the basis of survival and existence of any life forms or living organisms. As such, any abrupt change in the food-habit, which is not in accordance or tune with the locality factors, is found to interfere with the physiological processes for the worse. Consequently, a threat of extinction looms large over the entire community. Thus, sticking to and propagating food-habit, and gradually adding new ones over times are indispensable for the progress of human civilization.
In our case, Arunachalee, our food-habit is as old as our own evolution to present day. In other words, our evolution to present day is the outcome of our distinct food-habit. Physically, chemically, biologically, psychologically and also emotionally, we are inter-twined with our locality and all its variables. Therefore, Arunachalee food-habit is a part and parcel of our evolution and future existence. Our food-habit reflects our distinctness, and also the evidence of our age-old struggle, perseverance and achievements.
As the modernization dawns on our land, our life-style has experienced a big about-turn. Our traditional food-habit is the one that has suffered most as a result of changing life-style. We are switching our food-habit and this shift is at the cost of both our own physical health as well as indigenous food-habit. This is what is exactly happening with us presently. These changes, on one hand, may look full of luster and glow, but, on the other hand, they are not without ill consequences. As the popular saying goes- Everything that glitters is not gold- the same can be extrapolated in the case of changing food-habits of Arunachal. Unfortunately, our own age-old achievements that are our identifying marks and pillars of our existence are, suddenly, seemingly inferior to those of others. This is the biggest reason why our traditional food-habits are ignored at alarming rate. We are not realizing the fact that what we are, is all because of our food-habit. We are still ignorant, rather deliberately, as ignorance is bliss, that our food-habit is the course or way through which we tread or meander through the landscape of worldly existence. In simple words, we are ourselves undermining our traditional food-habit which tantamount to denying ourselves of our true identity and pushing ourselves on the threshold of extinction.
There is also economic tinge associated with the proliferation of our Arunachalee food-habits. Economics is highly in favor of our traditional food items and stuffs. How? Since our food habits are indigenous, natural food sources are present here itself, which enjoy the favor of local environmental conditions. In addition, we have indigenous expertise and knowledge accumulated over generations about domestication and rearing of these foods which can further be enriched. This ensures easy cultivation, production, and abundant availability. Consequently, the transportation cost of bringing these food-items and food-stuffs will be relatively cheaper. Besides, our food items are still original, i.e. they are not yet exposed to chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers, and accordingly, provide requisite nutrients to us more in amount and quality. Our physical stoutness, swiftness, and mental toughness are the proofs.
As a cascading effect, the propagation of Arunachalee food habits will definitely find demand and market which, in turn, will benefit our own people. People will get employment and livelihood. It’s, therefore, high time to realize this fact by each individual, and accordingly contribute, in his/her own way by taking, having, buying and eating any of Arunachalee food-habits (food-items and food-stuffs), towards propagation of Arunachalee food-habits. Essentially, it implies marching forward towards future with our identity and root simultaneously.
------NYALI ETE (M. Sc. FORESTRY),
DEHRADUN, UTTARANCHAL.
posted by Nyal Lee | 9:48 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home