Diplomatic Corps in Shanghai, China was all praise for the millets-based delicacies and the exhibition on ‘International Year of Millets (IYOM) 2023’ as diplomats from over 40 countries attended a grand ‘Millet Food Festival cum Exhibition’ organized by the Consulate General of India (CGI) in Shanghai on Thursday, February 23.
As IYOM 2023 celebrations reach Shanghai, people in Shanghai including the diplomatic community got an opportunity to know about the millets – the ‘super-food’ and ‘nutri cereals’ and thanked India for this initiative.
Consul General of India, Dr. N. Nand Kumar addressed the gathering of over three hundred diplomats, the Indian community and Chinese academicians and friends and apprised them of India’s initiatives and millets of India. He highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for the role of millet in fulfilling the needs of nutritional security, global food security, the livelihood of farmers and sustainable farming. He said India is a major producer and consumer of millets in the world and recognizing its vital role in food and nutritional security, the Government of India has notified millets as ‘nutri cereals’ in the year 2018.
Dr. Deng Le – an expert from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in China also made a technical presentation and thanked India for proposing the ‘International Year of Millets’ celebrations whose importance cannot be overstated in the current times.
FAO is the main UN agency to lead the IYOM 2023 celebrations worldwide. The UN General Assembly has declared the Year 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM) for raising awareness about the health benefits of the grains and their suitability for cultivation under changing climatic conditions. The resolution for the International Year of Millet, adopted by consensus at the UN General Assembly, was sponsored by India and supported by over 70 nations.
Consul General of Mexico in Shanghai, Mr. Leopoldo Michel Diaz also made a special address at the event and thanked India for shining the light on millet foodgrains. He said, Mexico, just like India, has a long agricultural history, being the country of origin of corn and other grains. He highlighted the values associated with millet farming and said that millets are valuable crops for many countries to fight food security and reduce reliance on imported grains.
At the exhibition, initiatives taken by Govt. of India were highlighted and the samples of millets grown in India were displayed along with their nutritional facts and health benefits. On the occasion, members of the Indian community participated with great enthusiasm and displayed their culinary skills and prepared around 30 millet-based dishes, savoured by the gathering. The Indian millets were used for making Shikanji, Pearl Millets (bajra) were used for making hummus, Sorghum (jowar) was used for making samosa. Millet-based kheer and muffins were also prepared.
Renowned Bharatnatyam dancer from Beijing Ms. Jin Shanshan and her daughter Ms. Jessica Wu and Kuchipudi dancer Ms. Lulu Wang gave enthralling cultural performances to thunderous applause. Indian restaurants in Shanghai in collaboration with the Indian Consulate are also hosting a millets exhibition and are offering millet-based Indian dishes.
Millets have been used as a main food in China since ancient times, especially in northern China which has suitable climatic conditions for millets cultivation.
As part of IYOM 2023 celebrations, the Indian Embassy in Beijing collaborated with Indian restaurants – ‘Taj Pavilion’ and ‘Dastaan’ – and launched a millet food week. The food week got underway to a wonderful start as both the Indian restaurants displayed their culinary skill through innovative millet dishes.
The menu was a full millet course in both restaurants and the response from the old and new customers both was extremely encouraging. Both the Beijing based restaurants in collaboration with the embassy displayed information on the International Year of Millets in the form of standees, millet competition posters etc. A variety of millets samples were also displayed at the restaurants.
Indian Embassy in Beijing has lined up several events for the promotion of IYOM 2023 which includes a round table discussion on IYOM 2023 with the participation of the Food and Agriculture Organization Representative to China among other dignitaries. Indian Embassy in Beijing will also launch a ‘Millet’s recipe book’ and organize a ‘Millets cooking Challenge’ and ‘Millets selfie competition’.
Source : NewsOnAIR
