Naveed Ul Haq
Budgam, Jan 31: With the introduction of modern gadgets, Kashmir’s traditional grinding mill, Aab-e-Gratte are fast losing the ground, however Wahpora village in central Kashmir’s Budgam district is preserving centuries-old methods of grinding by running 5 water grinding mills in the area.
These water mills grind cereals, wheat, rice and other cereals in fine quality to provide tasty flour.
The water mill owners said that the flour that comes out of this mill is considered to be the sweetest and people from around 5 kilometres come to their village to grind their cereals.
“Water mills harness renewable resources like running water which otherwise would be of no use. Villagers and residents adjoining areas prefer to grind maize, rice grains here due to best quality and taste,” said Abdul Rahim a resident of Wahpora Budgam who runs the mill since 1950’s.
Another mill owner Mohammad Qasim Ganie said that his family was involved in this work and now he will do the same because people do not pay much attention to this tradition.
“I will try to keep this tradition alive and after me through my children. These water mills essentially do not produce air pollution or sound pollution and it is a renewable source of energy,” Qasim said.
“These water mills portray our old traditions. There are 5 water mills and several electricity powered flour mills in the area, however people choose traditional water mills because of having low–cost grain grinding and it’s taste,” he said.
Ghulam Ahmad Bhat a customer who travels around 4 kilometres to get his flour grinded says that the flour obtained from these traditional mills is delicious, healthy and it keeps us away from diseases.
Bhat said people of Kashmir should keep this tradition alive and get grains grinded at traditional grinding mill, Aab-e-Gratte.
