Consulate General of India (CGI) in Guangzhou, China organized 'Special Focus Week on International Year of Millets' this past week which concluded today. The consulate organized an exhibition-cum-food festival on Millets for Diplomatic Corps based in Guangzhou. The samples of millets grown in India were displayed for exhibition along with their nutritional facts and health benefits.<br />''<br />''A 'Special Exhibition on International Year of Millets 2023' was also organized at various Indian Restaurants based in Guangzhou, which was well received by the visitors in all the locations. Four Indian restaurants in Guangzhou in collaboration with the Indian Consulate are hosting a millet exhibition and are offering millet based Indian dishes.<br />''<br />''As part of the Special Focus Week, a 'Talk on the Health Benefits of Millets' was also organized today by Ms. Christina Gui, a well-known Dietician based in Guangzhou. The talk was followed by a live cooking demonstration of Indian dishes made out of millets by a Chef from an Indian Restaurant based in Guangzhou.<br />''<br />''Members of Diplomatic Corps from over 40 countries attended the event and savored Indian dishes made from millets. The Indian millets were used for making the soups, Pearl Millets (bajra) were used for making the green salad, Sorghum (jowar) was used for making the rotis.<br />''<br />''Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Mr. Ebolo Emmanuel, Consul General of Congo appreciated the efforts made by Consul General of India, Guangzhou ' Shambhu Hakki to promote Millets. He mentioned that Millets are very important for Africa and offered his participation in any of the future programmes being organized by Consulate General of India, Guangzhou for popularization of millets.<br />''<br />''Consul General of USA, Lisa Heller said, she was delighted to learn so much about the benefits of millets. She underscored the need to increase the knowledge about millets around the world owing to its wonderful properties and its ability to contribute to the environment and people's nutrition.<br />''<br />''Consul General of Tanzania shared that millets are wonderful and are very familiar and popular even in Tanzania. Most people in Tanzanian villages are depending on millets to survive. "As we celebrate the International Year of Millets this year, I would like to thank the Government of India for recognizing this kind food which is very popular and encourage other countries also to encourage their farmers to produce more millets for the benefit of people and the world," Consul General of Tanzania said.<br />''Consul General of Indonesia said that millets are very environment friendly and useful.<br />''<br />''Consul General of Greece, Martinos Mandalidis congratulated CGI Guangzhou for the initiatives for raising awareness about importance of millets and its specific features and characteristics. "Millets is something that is sustainable and really contribute to making our planet greener and at the same time feeding our population in a sustainable way," he said.<br />''<br />''Consulate General of India, Guangzhou is also planning to organize several events for the promotion of International Year of Millets such as a Special Exhibition on IYM 2023 at various Indian restaurants in Guangzhou; Talk by a well-known Dietician on the health benefits of millets; Cooking demonstration of dishes with Indian millets; Millets cooking Challenge among others in the coming days.<br />''As part of IYOM 2023 celebrations, Indian Embassy in Beijing collaborated with Indian restaurants – 'Taj Pavilion' and 'Dastaan' – to launch a millet food week. The food week got underway to a wonderful start as both the Indian restaurants displayed their culinary skill through innovative millet dishes. The menu was a full millet course in both restaurants and the response from the old and new customers both was extremely encouraging.<br />''<br />''On the occasion, both restaurants in collaboration with the embassy displayed information on International Year of Millets in the form of standees, millet competition posters etc. A variety of millets samples were also displayed at the restaurants.<br />''<br />''The UN General Assembly has declared Year 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYOM) for raising awareness about the health benefits of the grains and their suitability for cultivation under changing climatic conditions. The resolution for International Year of Millet, adopted by consensus at the UN General Assembly, was sponsored by India and supported by over 70 nations.<br />''<br />''Indian Embassy in Beijing has lined up several events for the promotion of IYOM 2023 which includes a round table discussion on IYOM 2023 with the participation of Food and Agriculture Organization Representative to China among other dignitaries. Indian Embassy in Beijing will also launch of a 'Millet's recipe-book' and organize a 'Millets cooking Challenge' and 'Millets selfie competition'.<br />''Consulate General of India, Shanghai will also be organizing a 'Millet Food Festival cum Exhibition" on Feb 23 which will be attended by the diplomatic corps, Chinese friends and Indian community. On Monday, Dr. N Nandakumar, the Consul General of India in Shanghai held a press conference with Chinese and Beijing-based Indian media to highlight the events planned by his mission to popularise Indian millets. He said India is a major producer and consumer of millets in the world and recognising it can play a vital role in food and nutritional security, the Government of India has notified millets as 'nutri cereals' in the year 2018.<br />''Millets have been used as main food in China since ancient times, especially in northern China which has suitable climatic conditions for millets cultivation.<br />''<br />''"In China, we have three kinds of basic millets since old times, Foxtail millet, Broomcorn (Proso) millet and Sorghum. These three kinds of millets are main food in the mountain regions, in dryland area of northern part of China," said Prof. Diao Xianmin, the leading scientist in Millets research at Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in Beijing.<br />''<br />''He hoped that IYOM 2023 will help increase the millet production in the future. "I think this initiative for the 'International Year of Millets', will for sure increase the awareness, especially the governments to understand its importance. <br />''<br />''With this, I think governments will increase the investment for research including the basic germplasm, collection, breeding, agriculture and even industry," he said. Also, the 'International Year of Millets' can help the young chinese to increase the consumption of millets as their diet which may also give a push to millets related food processing industry due to demand, he said.<br />