Farmers harp on religious import, urge PM Modi to make betel national leaf

Growers try to strike emotional chord, linking Prime Minister's constituency Varanasi with famous 'Banarasi Pan'; PMO says will consider proposal

Trying to strike an emotional chord with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, betel farmers have urged the central government to declare the produce as the national leaf, given its prominent cultural and religious significance in India.

The Rashtriya Pan Kisan Union has written to Modi in this regard and the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has acknowledged their representation with the message that it would be considered.

Interestingly, the Union has also reminded Modi of the significance of betel leaf in the context of his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi to buttress its claim noting that ‘Banarasi Pan’ was famous not