The Mega Millet Mahotsav, with the theme #YeDiwaliMilletsWali, aims to contribute to making India healthier and wealthier, ensuring the production of 250 lakh tonnes of millets
In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at promoting millet cultivation in India, the Ministry of Culture, IGNCA (Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts), Ministry of Agriculture, and Gandhi Darshan have come together to organise a three-day awareness campaign known as the Mega Millet Mahotsav. This grand event took place from November 5th to 7th at the Satyagraha Mandap, Gandhi Darshan, New Delhi, in collaboration with AWSAR, Adya, Khetivirasat Mission, Mera Millet Magic, ACFL, and Micro Finance.
The Mega Millet Mahotsav was inaugurated by Vinai Kumar Saxena, the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, Gandhi Darshan Vice President Vijay Goel, and IGNCA Secretary Member Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi. The event was managed by Framefox and Auburn, encompassing desk management and on-ground reporting.
The campaign was dedicated to increasing awareness and consumption of millet, aiming to promote good health, economic development, and resource sustainability. The event also sought to provide a healthier and more sustainable environment for farmers, who play a crucial role as both nurturers and food providers in the nation.
The Mega Millet Mahotsav, with the theme #YeDiwaliMilletsWali, aims to contribute to making India healthier and wealthier, ensuring the production of 250 lakh tonnes of millets, and positioning India as a global hub for millet production.
Several prominent figures delivered speeches and presentations during the Mega Millet Mahotsav. Dr. RK Sinha, the former Member of Parliament of Rajya Sabha and Chairman of AWSAR Trust, delivered the welcoming speech. Dr. Khadar Vali, known as “The Millet Man of India,” introduced attendees to the various workshops scheduled over the three days. Gandhi Darshan Vice President Vijay Goel and IGNCA Secretary Member Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi delivered speeches, with a keynote address by Uttar Pradesh Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi and the presidential address by IGNCA President Ram Bahadur Rai.
The event featured a diverse range of sessions, covering topics such as the food industry, glucose balance, the advantages of millet over paddy and wheat, and essential cooking tips for millet. Other sessions discussed the revival of traditional practices beneficial for health, the impact of refined oil on health, microbial balance, hormonal balance, and creating delicious millet-based dishes.
The final day of the event included sessions on understanding various aspects of millets, environmental conservation, biodiversity, food sovereignty, and the role of millets in achieving Gramme Swaraj.
In the concluding session on the last day, Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Prasad Shukla, Minister of Animal Husbandry, Government of India Purushottam Rupala, and other distinguished guests addressed the participants and presented certificates.
India holds the distinction of being the world’s largest producer and the second-largest exporter of millet. The Mega Millet Mahotsav is expected to raise awareness and unite all stakeholders in the effort to promote millet cultivation in the country.
Khadar Vali, “The Millet Man of India,” emphasised the importance of this initiative, stating, “When your food is right, there is no need for medicine. When your food is wrong, no medicine works. The corporatization of food is the reason why millets disappeared. It was my intent to bring them back to human consciousness again.”
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