LOL Time .. Kashmiris oppose hop cultivation

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1221614

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Jan142009/national20090114112441.asp

The liquor baron's intention to re-start the hop cultivation drew severe criticism from different sections of society in Kashmir as production and usage of liquor is prohibited by Islam.

Hop is just a plant whose flowers are used to flavor beer (its not even the primary ingredient in beer).  One may choose to use its flowers for any purpose, whether to flavor beer or to decorate their homes or anything else.  Hops have herbal medicinal value and have other uses apart from beer - as per the Wikipedia.

Now, many varieties of grain are used to make whiskies, vodkas and rums.  The Muslims should stop eating or cultivating wheat, barley, sugarcane and rice ;-)  since these are used to make stronger wines than beer.

They should have asked for cultivation of opium instead, like in Afghanistan.  The Kashmiri Muslims would have liked it.  Of course, they are happy with opium cultivation though, even though Islam prohibits it :-) (once again, another one in the list of "prohibited items")

Why dont they shift the hop cultivation to Uttaranchal or Himachal.  Mostly similar cold Himalayan climate.  If Kashmiris do not want business and investment, then its their loss !!

One might even grow them elsewhere in India - Farmers of semi-desert areas of Gujarat have managed to grow mangoes and American corn (I found them better in taste than real American corn).  Better still, continue importing it - German hops are much better anyday.