There is a tradition of extracting rice from Dheki in Chhattisgarh, which is called the bowl of rice. Earlier every house in the village had a dhekhi. Dheki cooked rice is very tasty and nutritious, so there is a good demand for Dheki rice even today in the metropolitan cities. In view of this, innovative initiatives have been taken to make women self-reliant from Dheki in Dantewada district. The Dheki rice manufacturing unit has been launched in 2022 by the state government in Katekalyan, Gram Panchayat. In this, 15 didis of women self-help groups are working. Here the paddy being used in Dheki is brought from nearby villages, due to which more than 100 women are getting benefitted indirectly. Apart from this, more than 90 dhekis are ready, due to which more people will get employment. Dheki Rice is being marketed under the brand name of Danex i.e. Dantewada Next, which is its own brand in Dantewada district. Farmers in Dantewada are using organic manure in agriculture. The rice produced by them by not using chemical fertilizers and medicines in the fields is completely healthy and chemical free. Organically produced indigenous species are used to prepare Dheki rice. After harvesting, the work of cleaning and packing the rice has also been given to the women. It is worth mentioning that Dheki is an old style rice mill. It is made of hard wood. Which is pressed with the foot on one side and an iron pestle on the other. Paddy filled with a pestle is pounded on oak-like wood. When there is a force due to weight in the paddy, the golden husk separates from the rice. Like this:Like Loading… Continue Reading