In a vibrant celebration of traditional grains, Mangaluru recently hosted a district-level cooking competition dedicated to millets and forgotten foods. The event, held at the office of the Joint Director of Agriculture, aimed to revive ancient culinary practices and promote the immense health and environmental benefits of these super grains.
Officials Champion the Millets Movement
Inaugurating the competition, Jayaram, the Project Director of the Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat, highlighted the multifaceted advantages of millets. He stated that a healthy lifestyle is achievable by incorporating a diverse range of millet-based dishes into one's diet. Beyond personal health, he emphasized that millet cultivation supports agriculture, maintains soil health, and contributes significantly to environmental conservation.
Jayaram elaborated that millets are not only versatile for cooking but also highly beneficial for well-being. He stressed that cultivating millets helps conserve water and proves advantageous for humans, livestock, and overall environmental protection. Urging a shift in dietary habits, he called on people to replace junk food with nutritious millets for a healthier life.
Reviving Traditions for the Youth
Echoing similar sentiments, Joint Director of Agriculture Honnappa Govinda Gowda pointed out the necessity of introducing the wholesome food practices of earlier generations to today's youth. With the objective of bridging this culinary gap, he announced that many such awareness programs would be organized in the future to reignite interest in traditional, nutrient-rich foods.
A Culinary Showcase of Diversity
The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation, with a total of 51 contestants from various taluks of the district. The event was divided into three distinct categories:
- Forgotten Foods: 10 participants
- Savoury Millets Dishes: 17 participants
- Sweet Millets Dishes: 24 participants
The participants presented an impressive array of traditional and innovative dishes, turning the event into a grand culinary exhibition. The showcased items included:
- Kaje laddu, Patrode, and Naanil (a traditional Tulu dish)
- Ollede kodi, Therede kodi, and various greens' chutneys
- Ragi laddu, Jowar roti, Navane upma, and Navane bisibelebath
- Cake made from jowar flour, Jackfruit biryani, and Jackfruit holige
- Millet cookies, Ragi halwa, and Millet pongal
Celebrating the Winners
The competition culminated in the announcement of winners who excelled in their respective categories. In the savoury millet dishes category, Jayashree Attavar won the first prize, followed by Rajeshwari N in second place, and MP Rohini Acharya in third.
For the sweet millet dishes, Vimala Raju secured the top honor, with Vivek Alva and Prajwal M winning second and third prizes respectively. In the forgotten foods category, Shashmi Bhat emerged victorious, with Smita Vivek and Sunita Harish taking the subsequent spots.
The event successfully underscored the district's commitment to promoting sustainable food systems, preserving culinary heritage, and encouraging citizens to make healthier dietary choices for themselves and the planet.
