<span style="color: #222222;">Union Minister of State for Tourism Shripad Naik today inaugurates Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Millet Food Festival in Mumbai. Various chefs from India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Uzbekistan have prepared various traditional cuisines using Millets for this festival.<br />''<br />''Mr. Naik said, Spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Government of India sponsored the proposal for International Year of Millets 2023(IYM) which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly. The declaration has been instrumental for the Government of India to be at the forefront of celebrating the International Year of Millets. He also said, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also shared his vision to make IYM 2023 a 'People's Movement' alongside positioning India as the 'Global Hub for Millets'. India is hosting presidency of SCO for the year 2023. Minister also congratulated Kazakhstan for the next SCO presidency and assure that India would always continue its efforts for making tourism a successful sector in the SCO region.<br />''<br />''The Shanghai Cooperation Organization – SCO is an Intergovernmental Organization comprising eight Member States; China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan besides four Observer States and fourteen "Dialogue Partners".<br />''<br />''The SCO countries have a diverse mix of cultures and traditions, which is aptly reflected in their cuisines and the same will be offered to food lovers during the festival. In order to commemorate the International Year of Millets and to create awareness about the production and consumption of millets, the Millets Food Festival will also promote the idea of millets as a climate-resilient food source, that can help in meeting at least six of the United Nations-mandated sustainable development goals.<br />''<br />''The festival is organized by Ministry of Tourism and will go on till 19th April in Mumbai. Hotel Taj Mahal Palace is hosting this festival to commemorate the International Year of Millets. The festival will be open to the public from tomorrow for lunch and dinner at Shamiana Restaurant, Taj Mahal palace Hotel, Mumbai.</span>