By Chief of Bureau Sunil Barua
BIKANER: Did you know that bhujia, papad and rasgulle are exported from this town to more than 50 countries?
In the wake of difficulties being faced by Bikaneri bhujia manufactures, suppliers and exporters; government approval was granted for establishing a multi-crore food-testing laboratory at the Maharaja Ganga Singh University here.
The academic institution’s Vice-Chancellor Chandrakala Padia told ‘Developing India Mirror’ that a related diploma course is likely to commence at the University.
In the words of Bikaner Vyapar Mandal office-bearer Ghevar Chand Mushraf, “Our bhujia meets the domestic demand but only 10 % of the foreign requirement. Therefore, the lab will benefit exporters as they shall have access to analyse bhujia ingredients in accordance with international standards. It will not only save time but also cost of production.”
Numerous women in the cottage industry are associated with the papad business. Making papad at their dwellings constitutes their livelihood as the shackles of tradition forbid them from working outside. Mouth-watering rasgulle are created from milk that is an output of rural areas. Owing to insufficient precipitation, peasants rely heavily on animal husbandry. Approximately 4 lakh litres of milk are utilised daily for production of rasgulle.
People from Bihar, West Bengal, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh come to this place for work. The products are giving tough competition to even fast-food chains. The bhujia – prepared with moth beans, gram flour and spices – has a crispy characteristic that distinguishes it from others being sold in the country.