SARAS Food Festival Showcases India's Culinary Diversity and Rural Empowerment

The SARAS Food Festival, a celebration of taste and culture, was inaugurated on Friday by the Minister of State for Rural Development & Steel, Faggan Singh Kulaste, at the lawns of Handicrafts Bhawan, Baba Kharak Singh Marg, Connaught Place, New Delhi. The festival, organized by the Ministry of Rural Development, promises a delectable experience for visitors while spotlighting the culinary talents and empowerment initiatives of Self-Help Group (SHG) Didis.

Minister Faggan Singh Kulaste appreciated the resilience and diverse skills of SHG Didis, whose culinary expertise takes center stage at the SARAS Food Festival. He reiterated Prime Minister's vision announced on August 15, 2023, aiming to transform at least 2 Crore SHG Didis into Lakhpati Didis. The festival, Minister Kulaste emphasized, plays a crucial role in realizing this ambitious mission by providing a platform for the showcasing of their skills and products.

Highlighting the significance of the event, Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development, Shailesh Kumar Singh, expressed confidence that SARAS Food Festival 2023 would garner even greater support than its successful debut last year. Singh described the festival as a unique opportunity for residents and visitors of New Delhi to savor the flavors of Rural India in the heart of the national capital.

Addressing the attendees, Additional Secretary, Charanjit Singh, spoke of the overwhelming love and affection received from the people of Delhi, known for their passion for diverse cuisines. He extended an invitation to the public to experience the rich variety on display at this year's festival, promising an even more extensive range of offerings.

Joint Secretary, Ms. Swati Sharma, thanked Minister Kulaste for his guidance and support. She assured that the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) would redouble its efforts to empower SHG Didis economically, as exemplified by their participation in the SARAS Food Festival.

Entry to SARAS festival is free, and the venue at the lawns of Handicrafts Bhawan features over 30 stalls manned by about 150 women entrepreneurs and SHG members from across the country. This grand arrangement provides visitors with not only a feast for the palate but also a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry and social fabric of Rural India.

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