Belonia/Hrishyamukh, April 16 (TIWN):Three day long Betel leaf festival was inaugurated by Health Minister Badal Choudhury and the Chief Guest was Sarin Akhtar MP Bangladesh on Friday.

Health Minister while delivering his speech, he said “Betel leaf or paan plays a prominent role in the socio-religious life of the Hindus.

No auspicious Vedic occasion moves ahead without a ritual involving paan in it.. It is believed that Lord Shiva and Parvati themselves had sown the seeds of paan in the Himalayan ranges.In the Hindu marriage ceremony, a ritual called Briddhi-Sraddha is performed. As part of the ritual, the bride-groom invokes the resting souls of his ancestors; and in the presence of them all, he accepts the bride as his wife.At this instant, during the ancestral worship, thirty-two betel leaves or paan are compulsorily required.

Health Minister also discuss the Medicinal Value of Paan and he said “According to Ayurvedic science, betel leaf or paan is very useful in curing of diseases which are caused by air, phlegm and bile. Physicians, Vaidyas in Sanskrit, often prescribe betel leaf’s juice as a remedy for various illnesses. Systematic application of betel leaves on the forehead helps in curing serious headaches.The heated paan-juice, if poured in the infected ear, prevents pus formation.

Additionally, paan is also good in curing cough, cold, etc.Furthermore, ancient scriptures opine that paan or betel leaf increases passion, freshens the breath, and cures oral diseases. Thus, paan has become a crucial part of Hindu life and remains a symbol of divine veneration, as well.”

Bangladesh MP Sarin Aktar discussed about the Paan Culture which is developing throughout Bangladesh and its demand is very high and also request to sell pan in Srinagar Broder Haat.

But the recent Scenario of Hrishyamukh Paan Farmers  business is going down day by day.Besides, paan is also losing its appeal to the farmers because of falling demand. Consumers prefer cheaper and unhealthy alternatives, for instance chewing tobacco formulations such as gutka, over paan. Finally, in the recent scenario, higher costs, water scarcity and unpredictable weather have made betel gardens much less lucrative.

DM South C K Jamatia, Sabhapati Babul Debnath and other Bangladeshee guests were also present in the program. Cultural program in the evening was also staged in those three days.