7-Day SCO Millets Food Festival in Mumbai: International Chefs Showcase Millet Cuisines

Until April 19, the public can enjoy a range of cuisines composed of various millets cooked by chefs from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and India at the hotel's Shamiana Restaurant for lunch and dinner.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, is organizing a 7-day celebration at Hotel Taj Mahal Palace to honour the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). The SCO Member Chefs hand-selected a variety of organic meals produced with millets for the food festival.

Minister Shripad Naik remarked during the launch that the SCO countries have a remarkable combination of cultures and traditions, which is reflected in their cuisines. "The cuisines of the SCO countries will provide unique delights to food enthusiasts. The United Nations designated 2023 as the International Year of Millets, with the goal of increasing millet production and consumption globally."

"The idea is to promote millets because they are climate resilient," he explained, adding that millet consumption can assist the globe in meeting at least six UN-mandated sustainable development goals. This is a wise step towards long-term development.

The Government of India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, supported the proposal for IYM 2023, which was approved by the United Nations General Assembly. The statement has helped India to be at the forefront of IYM celebrations.

The Prime Minister has also highlighted his vision for making IYM 2023 a "People's Movement," as well as placing India as a "Global Hub for Millets," according to the minister. He also complimented Kazakhstan on its upcoming SCO presidency and stressed that India would continue to work to make tourism a viable industry in the SCO area.

While India is holding the SCO Presidency in 2023, the Millet Food Festival is the fourth and final event organised by the Ministry of Tourism to commemorate the Presidency. Previously, the ministry hosted a SCO Tourism Mart from February 9th to 11th, a SCO Expert Level Tourism Working Group Meeting, and a SCO Tourism Ministers' Meeting in Kashi, Varanasi, from March 13th to 18th.

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is an international organisation with eight member countries: China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, four Observer States, and 14 Dialogue Partners.