Farmers Dull Baisakhi

Unseasonal rains this year have dampened the spirits of Punjab farmers celebrating Baisakhi. As opposed to a heap of wheat crop - enough to run a community kitchen for months - this year the farmers are offering a more humble quantity of their produce, hitting hard a centuries old tradition.

The Punjab government has projected a damage of around three lakh hectares of farming due to this year's unseasonal rains. By state government estimates most standing crops - wheat, mustard, potato, and grams - have been damaged between February and March because of hailstorms and heavy rains.

Unseasonal rains this year have dampened the spirits of Punjab farmers celebrating Baisakhi. As opposed to a heap of wheat crop - enough to run a community kitchen for months - this year the farmers are offering a more humble quantity of their produce, hitting hard a centuries old tradition.

The Punjab government has projected a damage of around three lakh hectares of farming due to this year's unseasonal rains. By state government estimates most standing crops - wheat, mustard, potato, and grams - have been damaged between February and March because of hailstorms and heavy rains.