[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:01.91,0:00:04.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The most expensive spice \Nin the world is saffron,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.69,0:00:06.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and honestly, for good reason.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:06.47,0:00:09.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It takes a thousand flowers \Nto produce just one ounce,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:09.72,0:00:11.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but now, if you can believe it,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.51,0:00:15.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,harvesting the magical stuff \Nis getting even more complicated.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:16.13,0:00:18.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,SPICE OF LIFE
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.17,0:00:29.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(Mohammad) We sow these seeds\Nthat we take from the old stock.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:29.07,0:00:31.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,4 or 5-year old seeds.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:32.58,0:00:36.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We take seeds when they have thickened.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:36.27,0:00:40.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then we distribute and sow them in rows.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:41.42,0:00:44.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then, by the second year,\Nit starts producing in good numbers.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:45.65,0:00:50.10,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}Flower by flower,\Nthis is the world's most expensive spice.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:00:50.10,0:00:54.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}And Mohammad Yusuf has picked these\Nsaffron buds since he was 10 years old{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.09,0:00:57.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}on a one-acre farm\Nthat's been his family for generations.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:00:57.79,0:01:02.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is the season of flowers,\Nand we're now collecting them.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:02.87,0:01:05.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whatever we harvest is in our fate.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:06.50,0:01:09.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}Saffron is harvested \Nin a two-week window each fall.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.97,0:01:14.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}It only grows at a specific altitude,\Nwhich in India means Kashmir,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:14.27,0:01:16.79,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}a territory at the foothills \Nof the Himalayas,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:16.79,0:01:19.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}where about 32,000 people \Ncultivate the spice.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:20.18,0:01:21.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,See, this is a flower.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:21.48,0:01:25.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When we reach home, \Nwe will open and separate it like this.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:26.43,0:01:31.72,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}Those red strings, once dried, \Nsell for up to $4,000 a kilogram,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:31.72,0:01:34.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}and a few of those\Nwill pay the bills for the year.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:34.48,0:01:36.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We work until late night.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.11,0:01:37.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Yes.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.27,0:01:39.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is no disturbances at night.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:39.13,0:01:40.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Days are full disturbances.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:41.91,0:01:45.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}Kashmir's saffron \Nis wildly popular across India{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:45.60,0:01:47.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}for its use in basic cuisines,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:47.24,0:01:48.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}Ayurvedic medicine,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:48.82,0:01:49.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}and as a dye,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:49.85,0:01:51.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}which is used for Hindu religious garments{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:51.73,0:01:52.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}and the Indian flag.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:54.91,0:01:58.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}Saffron is also the color of\Nthe Hindu nationalist movement{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:01:58.46,0:02:02.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}that's pledged its undying support\Nto Prime Minister Narendra Modi,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:02.13,0:02:05.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}who has long sought\Nmore control over Kashmir,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.16,0:02:06.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}a majority Muslim area{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:06.82,0:02:10.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}that's dealt with the Pakistani-backed\Nseparatist movement for decades.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:11.57,0:02:15.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}In August 2019, \NModi changed the Constitution{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:15.24,0:02:17.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}to take away Kashmir's Special Autonomy.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.63,0:02:20.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One nation, one constitution.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:20.91,0:02:22.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}He imposed a lockdown{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.21,0:02:24.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}and cut off phone \Nand internet services for months{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:24.69,0:02:26.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}to prevent a mass uprising.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:27.54,0:02:31.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}The political lockdown has since\Nbeen replaced by a COVID-19 one,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:31.26,0:02:34.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}but Kashmiris still haven't gotten \Ntheir internet freedom back,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:34.32,0:02:38.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}which has stunted the saffron trade \Nand hit growers hard.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.78,0:02:41.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}And on top of all that,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:41.50,0:02:43.100,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}farmers are facing an additional threat.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:43.100,0:02:45.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}Climate change.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:02:45.12,0:02:46.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Since global warming,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:46.87,0:02:49.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,we've been facing a great loss.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.93,0:02:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Before, we had rain\Nduring our times of need.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:53.56,0:03:00.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But since that rain disappeared,\Nwe've been badly affected.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.53,0:03:04.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}Close to a third \Nof Kashmir's saffron fields{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:04.19,0:03:06.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}have disappeared since 1997,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.51,0:03:11.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}a crisis which prompted the government \Nto invest 54 million dollars in 2010{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:11.46,0:03:13.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}into reviving the industry.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:13.55,0:03:17.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They dug wells, placed pipes, et cetera,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:17.20,0:03:20.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by they failed to deliver the water.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:20.12,0:03:26.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Whatever they show,\Nit is far from reality.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:26.66,0:03:30.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}After nine years, \Nonly about 15% of the sprinkler systems{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.39,0:03:32.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}meant to help farmers have been built.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:33.21,0:03:34.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}Though the government has been slow{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.84,0:03:37.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}to set up the infrastructure \Nmeant to boost production,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:37.55,0:03:41.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}it has come up with a plan\Nto sell future harvests at a better price.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:42.15,0:03:45.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our saffron qualitatively\Nis the best in the world.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:45.96,0:03:48.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In terms of aroma, taste, and flavor.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.85,0:03:53.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We decided that we'd campaign \Nbefore the authorities
Dialogue: 0,0:03:53.96,0:03:56.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that we must get to the GI tag.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:56.75,0:03:59.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}GI stands for \N"Geographical Indication,"{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.84,0:04:04.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}a status the World Trade Organization\Ngave to Kashmiri saffron in July 2020{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.62,0:04:07.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}to certify its superior traits.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:07.19,0:04:09.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}Farmers can now get their harvest GI tag{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:09.71,0:04:12.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}at a brand-new government\Nprocessing facility.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.13,0:04:15.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The adulteration which\Notherwise used to be done
Dialogue: 0,0:04:15.46,0:04:17.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or repacking the saffron \Nfrom the other countries
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.85,0:04:20.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,on the name of \Nthe Kashmiri saffron will stop,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:20.26,0:04:22.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and it will generate huge revenues
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.89,0:04:24.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and a premium price for the farmers.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:28.03,0:04:32.49,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}Compared to Iranian saffron, \Nwhich makes up 90% of the world supply,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:32.49,0:04:36.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}the Kashmiri variant \Nhas almost 30% more crosin,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:36.44,0:04:39.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}a compound that gives the spice \Nits rich redness,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.20,0:04:40.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}pain relieving properties,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.66,0:04:42.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}and a taste so unique{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:42.12,0:04:45.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}that Kashmiri chefs won't stand \Nfor using anything else.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.86,0:04:49.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is a certain elegance\Nin our Kashmiri saffron.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.30,0:04:51.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There is saffron from Iran,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:51.06,0:04:53.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but it only gives [food] color,\Njust like turmeric.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.62,0:04:59.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But our saffron reflects Kashmiri culture.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:59.24,0:05:01.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You can tell the two apart\Nfrom their taste.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:03.11,0:05:06.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}Bilal Ahmed oversees \Nthe preparation of wazwan,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:05:06.47,0:05:10.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}a traditional feast made for weddings,\Nfamily gatherings, even funerals.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:05:11.08,0:05:14.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}Saffron is a key ingredient \Nin several main dishes of the meal{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.67,0:05:16.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}that can stretch for dozens of courses.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:05:17.11,0:05:19.89,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We bring saffron,\Nthen dry it on a copper plate.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.89,0:05:22.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Then we crush it with a mortar and pestle.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:22.77,0:05:27.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Next, we add some water\Nto make a paste out of it.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.86,0:05:34.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}A proper wazwan typically \Nrequires two to three dozen chefs,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:05:34.65,0:05:35.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}one ton of meat,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.71,0:05:39.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}and about 50 grams\Nor $200 worth of saffron.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.97,0:05:43.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}But wazwan have been smaller than usual\Nfor more than a year now,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:05:43.29,0:05:47.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}as the political and pandemic lockdowns\Nhave limited the size of gatherings.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:05:47.59,0:05:49.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For example, we were supposed to cook
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.38,0:05:51.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,12 to 13 quintals of meat\N[2,600 lbs.-2,900 lbs.]
Dialogue: 0,0:05:51.30,0:05:52.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,for this function,
Dialogue: 0,0:05:52.26,0:05:54.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,but now it is only two and a half\Nto three quintals [550 lbs.- 660 lbs.].
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.04,0:05:55.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,That's the difference.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:55.17,0:05:56.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It's made a lot of difference.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:56.63,0:06:00.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our business is being affected,\Nand it will change our culture.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:04.74,0:06:07.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,(narrator) {\i1}Life in Kashmir isn't \Njust changing because of the pandemic,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:06:07.94,0:06:09.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}a political crisis,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:06:09.26,0:06:10.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}or global warming.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:06:10.67,0:06:13.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}The kids who grew up here \Nare now making different choices,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:06:13.50,0:06:16.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}looking for opportunities \Noutside the saffron fields{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:06:16.55,0:06:18.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}and the kitchens of their homeland.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:06:18.92,0:06:20.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}For chef Ahmed,{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:06:20.22,0:06:23.69,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,{\i1}that means working harder \Nto keep his culture thriving.{\i0}
Dialogue: 0,0:06:23.90,0:06:27.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Our children aren't keen to do this work\Nbecause it's very laborious.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:27.13,0:06:31.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,They say, "We will do some \Nother business, but not all this."
Dialogue: 0,0:06:31.96,0:06:35.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This will go on because \NI can't find comfort
Dialogue: 0,0:06:35.65,0:06:37.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in doing anything else.