Pre-Event to International Trade Fair 2025: Organics & Millets

Shambhavi Kumari 23BTGE62 (Member of Writers' Association) Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous

Millets, the once-forgotten and taken-for-granted superheroes, have again come into the global spotlight. These tiny grains pack an array of nutrients and hold promise for a healthier and sustainable future. To promote these nutri-cereals and raise awareness worldwide, the government of Karnataka has implemented several initiatives and interventions to support organics and millet. One such initiative supporting farmers and enhancing market access is the International Trade Fair 2025: Organics & Millets, organized by the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka. This year, the 6th edition of the most anticipated fair is at Tripuravasini, Palace Grounds, Bengaluru, on 23, 24, and 25 January 2025. This event aims to demonstrate the export potential of Karnataka's organic and millet sectors and strengthen global and domestic market linkages for the state's produce.

Our college, Kristu Jayanti, Autonomous, Bengaluru, was honoured to host the Pre-Event to this millet fair on 10th January. The Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, collaborated with our college's Department of Life Sciences and set up a series of exciting and one-of-a-kind pre-events leading up to the main fair. A range of thrilling and stimulating competitions were conducted for the students of Kristu Jayanti College to showcase their talents in various arenas. These included Millet Master Chef- a millet-based culinary battle; Exhibition on Awareness of Healthy Food Habits, Elocution- a compelling speech contest; and Know Your Millets- a rattling quiz competition and awarded with cash prizes for the deserving winners.

The Pre-Event was hosted in our college's very own Silver Jubilee Auditorium. The day started with an insightful expert session on 'Millets in the Global Spotlight: Bridging Nutrition, Sustainability, Innovation and Culinary Applications' by Dr. Shridevi Gothe from the University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka.

Following this was the welcoming of esteemed guests from the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka. The welcome address was delivered by Dr. Aloysius Edward, Director of IQAC and Dean of the Faculty of Commerce and Management. We had the honour of hosting Dr. Y.S Patil IAS (Commissioner, Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka), Dr. G.T Puthra (Director, Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka), Dr. Tanay Joshy (Scientist, Country Coordinator and Research Manager), Namerta Sharma (Senior Team Leader) and Shri Venkataramana Reddy (Additional Director, Department of Agriculture).

Each guest was welcomed with a sapling as a token of appreciation. The inauguration was complete with the symbolic lighting of the lamp ceremony by the members on the dais. After the auspicious ceremony, Dr. Tanay Joshy was invited to speak with the audience and provide insights on the International Trade Fair. Following this, our Principal, Fr. Dr. Augustine George, delivered the presidential address, and Dr. YS Patil shared his thoughts and words of encouragement for the aspiring and eager youth. He mentioned that in recognition of the efforts of Kristu Jayanti College and the budding and passionate entrepreneurs nurtured on this campus, the Government of Karnataka has allocated a premium shop space at the millet fair, free of cost, for these students to feature their products.

A warm invitation was extended to all the students to visit the Millet Fair on the 23rd, 24th, and 25th of January 2025. This was followed by a symbolic gesture to honour and show reverence and appreciation for the millets. The dais members poured nine millets into the earthen pot, including foxtail millet, proso millet, kodo millet, little millet, jowar millet, etc.

Next, the achievements of the students who had participated in the events organized by the Department of Life Sciences were recognized. Dr. Calistus Jude, Dean of Sciences, delivered the vote of thanks. The guests were presented with gift hampers containing products our young student entrepreneurs proudly created and mementoes. The Kristu Jayanti Dance Academy students put on a powerful and passionate dance performance highlighting the theme of the Resurgence of Millets. Their performance celebrated the richness of our culture, nutrition-dense millets, and climate-resilient nature, leaving the audience in awe.

The Pre-Event was concluded with an illuminating and comprehensive panel discussion on Millets: The Supergrains for a Sustainable Future, moderated by Dr. A Sundaravalli, Dean, School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Mount Carmel College. The panel comprised renowned experts in a range of arenas. It included- Dr. Shamala Devi L N (founder of Ragikana), Dr. Gouri Rokkam (founder of Holistic Health with Dr. Gouri Rokkam), Chef Rajesh Kumar (Assistant professor, Culinary Army Insitute of Hotel Management), Ms. Yamuna Srinidhi (Classical Dancer and Actress), Smt. Shashikala Satyamoorthy (founder of Ruha Sustainable Livelihood Foundation), Mrs Daphne N Balan (Chief Dietician, Bangalore Baptist Hospital), Dr. Afsar Fatima (Consultant Endocrinologist, Bangalore Baptist Hospital).

The panel discussion offered a wealth of knowledge on these ancient grains' nutritional, environmental, and economic benefits. Experts from various fields shared the roles millets played in their lives, their perspectives on the pivotal nature of millets, and what they were doing to advocate for millets. The depth of the conversation left the audience with a deeper understanding of millets than before. It was a thought-provoking session and the perfect end to the Pre-Event, with the audience's minds occupied by millets. Events like these influence the young's minds to change the status quo for a better future.