Humble khichdi is ‘Brand India food’

Social media on Wednesday was abuzz with an interesting debate. No, not about politics, but desi food khichdi .

At the three-day World Food India 2017 starting November 3, organised by the Ministry of Food Processing in collaboration with CII, the government plans to use the platform to promote kKhichdi , a rice and lentil dish, as the ‘Brand India food’.

The event will see setting up of a ‘Food Street’ that will showcase Indian cuisine, ingredients, flavours and fragrances.

Khichdi’s origins can be traced back to the 14th century and is considered an inseparable part of the culinary heritage of the country.

At the sidelines of the curtain raiser for World Food India, Minister of Food Processing Harsimrat Badal said the event will take the varied flavours of India to the world and showcase the healthy multi-grain khichdi to the visitors.

“ Khichdi symbolises India’s great culture of unity in diversity at its best and therefore has been selected the Brand India food. It is the wonder staple food and is considered the healthiest prepared food in India and is eaten across the length and breadth of the country,” he said.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who has been roped in as the brand ambassador of the Food Street, will prepare k hichdi . About 800 kgs of k hichdi using grains such as jowar (sorghum) and bajra (pearl millet), will be prepared and distributed to children.

The government also plans to popularise and promote the dish among heads of foreign missions. The Ministry may also partner with restaurant chains for promoting the dish.