Resurgence of Millets in ‘MY PLATE’- Panel Discussion

In 2021, India had proposed to the United Nations to declare 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM). This proposal received support from 72 countries and hence, United Nation’s General Assembly (UNGA) declared 2023 as “International Year of Millets”. The Government of India has now decided to celebrate 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’, in order to make it a people’s movement to ensure that the Indian millets, recipes and value added products are accepted across the globe.

International Year of Millets’ has the following aims:

• To elevate the awareness of the contribution of millets to food security and nutrition
• To inspire the stakeholders on improving the sustainable production and quality of millets.
• To draw focus on the enhanced investment in research and development and extension services to achieve the other two aims.

Objectives of the event:

Resurgence of millets –Bringing back the millets to prominence which was once our staple to the plate with new dimensions to expand its horizon to people of all walks of life is the main objective and focus of this event.

The pandemic has taught us many lessons one such is ‘Eat Healthy and Eat Right’. The millets considered as Nutri-cereals is powerhouse of nutrients. Today’s event is a unique event as it has gathered people from different strides of life to talk about the humble millets.

The Panel discussion is organized by Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka in association with Department of Home Science, Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru. This is to create awareness and healthy discussions about the use of millets and their nutritional and culinary aspects, general benefits and other value-added products among the stake holders in the related field to spread the message to the society. The eminent panellists from different walks of life have given their consent to be a part of the programme.

Our Eminent panellists consists of Doctor, Nutritionist and fitness expert, Dietitian, Chef, food industrialist, Restaurateur, Journalist, Environmentalist, Ace sports person, film and theatre artist. The experts give their views and opinions about Millets as they have experienced through and give their valuable inputs to the community/public at large.

Around 100 participants including dietitians, nutritionists, fitness experts, food bloggers, food industry, chefs, doctors, academicians in the related field of agriculture, food and ayurveda and officers from the Department of agriculture, GOK have participated in the event.

Moderator to Panel Discussion: Major. Dr. SHANTHA MARIA

       Former Dean,

       Faculty of Home Science

       Mount Carmel College, Bengaluru

LIST OF PANELISTS

Scope of the event:

The healthy eating practices advocate the use of millets as it’s a powerhouse of nutrients. The collated response of our panellists is to bring in resurgence (prominence) of millets in day-to-day life and to reassure the aim of the international year of millets a pan India and global movement. Millets are naturally gluten free, vegan, superfood and ancient indigenous grain which can help the weight loss and management and at the same time prevent malnutrition and anemia. Millets ace the game of moderation-eating thanks to the ability to satiety early, making them perfect addition to the wellness menu.

Millets have low glycemic index and healthy carbohydrates they help to combat Non communicable diseases like diabetes, hyper tension, cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

The next war is water as millets can grow in arid region and require less water for irrigation, they are environment friendly crops and help conserve water.

Bringing experts as panellists who have a mark in society will have a great impact in society. The participants of the programme performed healthy discussion with the panel and take the inputs from the panel to reach to their clients/customer/consumer and at large the community/public.

Take home message from the panel discussion should be the younger generation has to be sensitized about millets through media, since it has a great influence and impact as India is a Young nation with rich ancient knowledge and culture.