The public, who is suffering from the intense heat, is getting much-needed relief with the arrival of seasonal fruits in the marketplaces. The previous few weeks have seen a significant rise in the consumption of summer seasonal fruits such ice apples, watermelon, jackfruit, and coconut water due to the heat wave-like conditions that are now occurring in various regions. Even though the peak summer is still over a month away, after this, these fruits’ sales are at their highest point.
Due to their acidic flavor, ice apples—known locally as “Thati Munjulu”—are the most popular option among the general people. A dozen of them costs between Rs. 50 and Rs. 70. Mango sales are not deterred by their high cost since consumers are willing to pay a little more to indulge in this seasonal fruit. Depending on the kind, its costs might vary from Rs 100 to Rs 150 per kilogram.
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Renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and monasteries, Leh made news in March of this year when climate activist Sonam Wangchuk fasted for 21 days in subfreezing temperatures to seek Ladakh’s autonomy. Numerous others joined the Ramon Magsaysay Award winner, whose narrative provided actor Aamir Khan with inspiration for his role as Rancho in the popular Bollywood film “3 Idiots.” After breaking his fast on March 26, Wangchuk canceled his sit-in on May 10 in anticipation of the Lok Sabha elections. Despite the government’s rejection of the protestors’ demands for Ladakh’s independence and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Wangchuk maintains that the movement is far from done. Companies are buying land, but China is also taking hundreds of square kilometers of our land.” Wangchuk told PTI that the people of the country need to understand how we are suffering. “The Sixth Schedule is required to protect the ecology, mountains, and glaciers. Despite being essential to the country, mountains are very delicate. “We do not want Ladakh or the nation to adopt the use-it-and-throw-away mentality of the modern era, whether it be a glacier, river, or plate,” he said. Wangchuk claims that people living in the ecologically vulnerable Himalayan region are concerned that businesses and outsiders may seize their lands and ignore the environment in the absence of safeguards. “These glaciers produce water. This is it, Dev Bhoomi cannot be contaminated,” he said. The Sixth Schedule contains provisions relating to the autonomous district councils (ADCs) in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram managing tribal regions. The ADCs are granted autonomy in the legislative, judicial, and administrative spheres and have the power to pass legislation relating to land, forests, water, agriculture, and other subjects. The climate activist said that by placing Ladakh on the Sixth Schedule, companies would have to notify the inhabitants before altering the mountains, putting an end to unrestrained growth. Wangchuk said, “Better than before,” when questioned about his feelings after his fast. Fasting never hurts. Wangchuk was among those who supported Ladakh’s admission as a Union territory after Article 370’s repeal in 2019. But his views have changed now. We supported the abolition of Article 370 since Ladakh has been reduced to a district of Jammu and Kashmir. “Ladakh wanted to be a state or a part of the Union, but Article 370 stopped the Union government from fulfilling that goal. He said that people were pleased that Ladakh will now have a life of its own. There were also worries about safeguarding the fragile environment of Ladakh and its environs at the same time. Wangchuk said. “The government came forward and assured that they will protect us under the Sixth Schedule,” he said. He claims that in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2020 Hill Development Council elections, the BJP has also promised safeguards under the Sixth Schedule. “First they went cold on the issue, then they went back on their word, so we had to… (launch) an agitation,” he said. The government informed him, he said, “we can’t give anything” after almost 10 meetings. The activist cited the proposed 10-gigawatt, 20,000-acre Pang area solar power facility in Changthang as an example. He claims that the area designated for the project is pasture, where the people graze their prized Pashmina goats, whose wool commands the highest price on the globe. “Hundreds of square kilometres of pastures — I am talking about an area as big as Delhi — is being given to Solar Energy Corporation of India without discussing with the people,” he said. “We felt we also need to build pressure so that there is a balance,” he said, implying that industry lobbyists are probably “pressuring” the Union government. Achieving a consensus is the only way to change the government.” “Whether the government changes or the government changes its thoughts, we will continue with our movement so that the deal is cancelled,” he said. After the declaration made during the most recent protests, the ‘Pashmina March’ was called off. Wangchuk continued by saying that the march was called off because they did not want any confrontations with the police and believed that the administration’s objections to the march supported their position. The many restrictions they imposed, the use of Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the threats of internet interruption gave us the impression that the evidence we were looking for had already been obtained while we were sat here. In response, he said, “We are not supposed to communicate the truth to the nation by the government. Wangchuk thinks that a new government will grant the Ladakhis’ wishes. “If a Congress administration occurs, we are really optimistic. If the BJP does not change its mind, we would hope that politicians who are in favor of keeping Ladakh in place win elections,” he said. Wangchuk is ready to battle till the very end if need be. “Ladakh is the gem of India. We want to refrain from demonstrating once again. But if it becomes necessary, we will sit in protest once again,” he said. Ladakh is scheduled to take part in the fifth round of the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections on May 20
May 17, 2024
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Because of the favorable weather this year, there was a big mango production, and more mangoes will soon be available for purchase, the merchants are forecasting that prices may drop over the following several weeks. In recent days, there have been solid sales for even the city’s businesses. The product is being sold by retail sellers for between Rs 20 and Rs 30 per kilogram more than what is being paid in wholesale marketplaces.
Watermelon, which has a high water content and costs between Rs 20 and Rs 30 per kilogram, is a summertime miracle. According to D Rangadu, a fruit trader in Guntur market, watermelon consistently leads the market despite the abundance of summer fruit options. Watermelon, when cut into equal slices and placed in an eye-catching manner, never fails to draw attention from onlookers. Aside from its cooling properties, it is a useful treatment for dehydration.
In an attempt to attract consumers, a number of cafés and juice businesses are including different dishes using these fruits into their menus. “Instead of soft drinks throughout the summer, people are choosing to consume fruit juices since they are more health aware than in the past. In order to increase our customers, we are also providing a variety of options, according to R Rama Krishna, the proprietor of a fruit juice business in the city.
Doctors and dieticians urge individuals to eat seasonal fruits naturally without adding artificial sweeteners when the mercury rises, particularly when ingesting fruit juices. It is advised to combat the heat by consuming seasonal fruits that are in season.