HYDERABAD:Millet Fest-2015 kicked off an a grand note at the People’s Plaza here on Friday drawing not just health-conscious people but also the general public in large numbers.
It is being organised by the department of agriculure, Government of Telangana, Prof. Jayashankar Telangana State Agricultural University (PJTSAU) and the College of Home Science to popularise usage of millets among the general public.
“Millets are rich in fibre and micro nutrients. As a result they are ideal for preventing lifestyle diseases like hypertension, diabetes, obesity, among others. People are suffering from various diseases today due to changing eating habits. As millets are a lot healthier when compared to wheat and rice, including millets in the diet can prevent many diseases. Millet fest is an effort in that direction,” said Anurag Chaturvedi, Dean of Home Sciences College. The main idea of the festival is to sensitise urban and rural communities on the benefits of incorporating millets into their daily diet.
With more than 50 stalls offering various millet-based products, Millet fest is a perfect destination for people looking out for healthy food products. Right from daily use food items like multigrain flour (atta), roti, rava, noodles to specialised food items like malt, flakes, cookies, extruded snacks made with millets like jowar, ragi (finger millet), bajra (pearl millet), varigalu ,(proso millet) and korra (foxtail) are available at the fest. Besides offering a whole range of millet- based products, the fest will also introduce visitors to various innovative products.
“It is also interesting to know that even items like atta and rava which we use daily are available in different combinations like jowar, korra (foxtail). Millet fest has introduced us to many healthy alternatives,” S Srividya, a home maker, said after placing an order for a jowar and ragi flour at a stall. The products offered at the fest are developed by the Home Science College, Millet Processing and Incubation Centre, Directorate of Sorghum Research, Krishi Vignan Kendras.
Besides products of millet research institutes, food products of various organisations and entrepreneurs dealing with millets are also available at the fest. So, what are you waiting for?