By Neeraj Kumar
Patna, June 17: Bihar Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar inaugurated the three-day Millets Festival at Ravindra Bhawan in Patna on Sunday. Addressing the gathering, he highlighted the health benefits of millets, noting that our ancestors maintained long and healthy lives by consuming these grains. He expressed concern that modern society is forgetting these traditions, leading to increased health problems.
Governor Arlekar emphasized the need to re-adopt millet-based diets for better health. He underscored the festival’s importance, stating that the knowledge gained over the next three days would be valuable for a lifetime. He also praised former MP RK Sinha for the successful organization of the event.
Bihar’s Agriculture and Health Minister, Mangal Pandey, attended the event as the chief guest. He congratulated RK Sinha for organizing the state’s first millet workshop and stressed that pure food is essential for a healthy body and mind, which in turn leads to societal development. He reiterated the Prime Minister’s endorsement of millets, asserting that increased millet production would enhance farmers’ incomes and overall prosperity. He assured government support for millet producers.
Former Rajya Sabha MP and President of Avsar Trust, RK Sinha, in his welcome speech, emphasized that a proper diet is crucial for health, stating that no doctor can cure you if your diet is poor. He highlighted the direct benefits of the Millets Festival for farmers and agricultural scientists, including insights into millet consumption and its advantages.
Dr. Khadar Wali, known as the Millets Man, addressed the audience, stressing the environmental and health benefits of millets compared to rice and wheat. He pointed out the significantly lower water requirements for millet production and criticized the commercialization of food. He encouraged a millet-based diet to manage blood sugar and promote overall health, listing various types of millets beneficial for the body.
The festival featured stalls from millet producers across the country. The first day’s sessions included discussions on the history of food, the influence of corporations on diets, and an interactive Q&A with Dr. Khadar Wali. A millets song by lyricist Buddhiman Mishra, sung by Manisha Srivastava, was also released, adding a cultural dimension to the event.
Prominent attendees included Agriculture Department Secretary Dr. Sanjay Agarwal, NABARD Chief General Manager Sunil Kumar, ACFL Director AP Verma, and Aadya Organic Director Ratna Sinha. The event was conducted by Avsar Trust CEO Anuranjan Srivastava. Organized by Avsar Trust and supported by the Bihar Government Agriculture Department, SIS Group, ACFL Micro Finance, Aadya Organic, Indian Public School Dehradun, and Sangat-Pangat, the festival will continue for two more days.
