Saturday, November 18, 2006

Gutka...


Gutka (also spelled gutkha, guttkha, guthka) is a preparation of crushed betel nut, tobacco, and sweet or savory flavorings. It is manufactured in India and exported to a few other countries. A mild stimulant, it is sold across India in small, individual-size packets that cost between 1 and 4 rupees apiece. It is consumed much like chewing tobacco, and like chewing tobacco it is considered responsible for oral cancer and other severe negative health effects.

Used by millions of adults, it is also marketed to children. Some packaging does not mention tobacco as an ingredient, and some brands are pitched as candies - featuring packaging with children's faces and are brightly colored. Some are chocolate-flavored, and some are marketed as breath fresheners. Highly addictive and a known carcinogen, gutka is currently the subject of much controversy in India. Many states have sought to curb its immense popularity by taxing sales of gutka heavily or by banning it outright.
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6 comments:

Anonymous Sat Nov 18, 03:14:00 PM GMT+5:30  

Hi,

I am planning to buy a digi cam around the range of 8k to 10k from bangalore. Any suggestion ? ... How is 6megapixel, 3x/6x optical zoom, 25mb card sony cybershot cam for 10,999/-, pls let me know.

Anonymous Sat Nov 18, 03:14:00 PM GMT+5:30  

Great coverage of daily life of Bangalore

magikthrill Sun Nov 19, 04:47:00 AM GMT+5:30  

very interesting cultural note. i had no idea what gutka was. is it more popular than cigarettes India or does it depend on the region?

Unknown Sun Nov 19, 07:44:00 AM GMT+5:30  

Thanks..keeps me going!

Raj > I am no expert on camera's but surely suggest to try Kodak 663, refer my "CAMERA's I USED' in side bar for more details..

Magi > the gukta is silent killer, as it provides usability over cigi's, one can enjoy gutka without troubling other ( people hate cigi smoke and thus restrict the use outdoors) ...i have seen people having both gutka and cigi together too...

Ashley Sun Nov 19, 10:39:00 PM GMT+5:30  

I wondered what those little packages were! I saw them sold by vendors all over India.

Anonymous Sat Nov 25, 12:28:00 PM GMT+5:30  

happened to come here through Ashley's blog. cool thing that you are doing!