Event alert! Come, be a part of millet revolution

With the United Nations General Assembly declaring 2023 as the year of the millet, a wave of excitement swept through India. The recognition of the significance of millets as a nutritional powerhouse and sustainable crop seeks to create domestic and global demand for this ancient grain.

And as the world celebrates the year of the millet, what better way to engage with the subject than to bring together industry experts for a delightful conversation over brunch?

‘Bharat ki Kahani: Cuisines and Cultures of Rural India’ is going to be an exceptional culinary journey presented by Village Square, an initiative of Transform Rural India, as part of its annual India Rural Colloquy. 

“Food is supremely universal. We all have to eat. And most of us love to eat. There’s no better way to break the ice, never mind bridge cultures, than sharing food, ‘breaking bread’ together. That’s why we’ve included this session for this year’s colloquy – to help bring urban and rural closer together,” said Lyndee Prickitt, Village Square Director and Director of Communications, TRI.

Scheduled as an invite-only table brunch on Sunday, August 6, at Dilli Haat, New Delhi, this event promises to be a captivating exploration of India’s rich culinary heritage, while simultaneously shedding light on the vast potential of millets in the country.

The event is being hosted at the Millets Experiential Centre at Dilli Haat, a visionary initiative of the National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED), that was launched by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar earlier this year. 

Food is supremely universal. We all have to eat. And most of us love to eat. There’s no better way to break the ice, never mind bridge cultures, than sharing food, ‘breaking bread’ together.

We thought of this as the perfect backdrop for the culinary journey, as it endeavours to promote the widespread adoption of millets among the general public. Aligning with the core theme of the International Year of Millets, the event aims to bring together individuals from the food and millet space to deliberate on the potential of food in bridging the gap between rural and urban India.

Also Read | Millet mantras: Your guide to a healthy platter

Fostering rural renaissance

At the heart of this unique event lies the vision of rural renaissance. ‘Bharat ki Kahani’ seeks to highlight the culinary diversity and cultural heritage of rural India, unveiling lesser-known treasures that are yet to be explored by the masses. 

By creating a platform for industry experts and relevant stakeholders, the event aspires to generate awareness about the untapped potential of rural communities, encouraging collaborations that can lead to a sustainable and inclusive food ecosystem.

The panel of experts comprises accomplished individuals, each contributing their unique expertise to the discourse. Among the esteemed panellists are Faiz Ahmed Kidwai, Additional Secretary – Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Deptt, and Ayesha Grewal, owner, The Altitude Store, renowned for promoting sustainable and organic produce. Joining them would be Arbind Singh, the National Advisor of the National Street Vendors Association. Additionally, Neeraja Kudrimoti, Associate Director of Transform Rural India, will lend her expertise in empowering rural communities through gastronomic initiatives, bringing to light the transformative power of food.

The event embraces the digital age with a video-first approach. By curating an intimate and immersive experience, Village Square aims to create a personal connection between the audience and the panellists. This format also enables broader outreach, allowing more people to participate actively in the event’s enriching discussions.

Bridging the gap

While the event will be an invite-only table brunch, Village Square extends its invitation to a broader audience through Instagram Live. On the event day at 12:30 pm, food enthusiasts and curious minds are encouraged to tune in to @villagesquareindia. This interactive platform allows viewers to pose questions directly to the panellists, providing them with an enriching and engaging experience.

‘Bharat ki kahani: cuisines and cultures of rural India’ emerges as a remarkable initiative that encapsulates the spirit of the International Year of Millets. As the world comes together to celebrate the nutritional and environmental benefits of millets, this culinary journey showcases India’s rich heritage while fostering a rural renaissance. Through thoughtful conversations and engaging interactions, the event aims to pave the way for a more sustainable and inclusive food future, where rural and urban India unite under a shared love for food and tradition.

Also Read | Is rural India on the brink of a renaissance?

The lead image shows the popular south Indian breakfast item ‘idlis’ made of ragi (Photo from Shutterstock)

Teesta Rajan is the Associate Director of Village Vibe at Village Square. She is passionate about food, travel and culture.