Since the inception of the development of Indian economy, rural culture and practices have majorly been a part of its journey. The reason why India is reckoned as an agro-based economy lies in its rural populace errands which again takes it toward agriculture or related occupations. In this thread, the tribal economy has leveraged animal husbandry and cattle rearing along with a few handicraft alternatives to upkeep its capital mobilization. Even today, a substantial share of rural economy is dependent on such indigenous alternatives to ensure a regular source of livelihood. Thanks to the Indian Government that keep channelizing local initiatives to uplift this segment of the national economy. Talking about the recent major step taken by the Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, it will certainly provide a push to the rural economy. He declared about the request he forwarded to airlines to provide honey sachets as an option to sweetener in coffee/tea. These beverages offered to the passengers in flights comes with the sachets of refined sugar which can be replaced by honey cubes, though not mandatorily.
The Union Minister was speaking at an institute named, Central Bee Research and Training Institute (CBRTI) on Monday ie, 6th January 2020. In context of the micro enterprises and other SME’s, he further added, “Normally, one spoon of honey is equal to three spoons of sugar. Currently, refined sugar sachets are provided on board to passengers, so we are trying if we can provide honey sachets or honey cubes in flights and hotels,”. He also said that he will call the aviation companies including SpiceJet, Air India, GoAir, and IndiGo along with chairperson of the Khadi Gramodyog Commission to request them for ensuring the availability of both the choices in flights. Well, if executed, this move can serve as a major booster to the tribal and rural economy especially, when people have already become fitness conscious and thus started making healthy choices. Replacing sugar with honey cubes in flights will serve a healthy alternative to the passengers, in particular to masses, who prefer organic foods over synthetic options. Moreover, if this succeeds in India, it will open up more avenues for global trade through increased domestic imports.