The Department of Home Science commemorated the ‘International Year of Millets’ with a unique Millet Bazaar on August 8th and 9th, in front of the Clock Tower, and a webinar for tribal women on 8th. These events aimed to make students aware that millets, which have high nutritional value and are an alternative to rice and wheat, can be incorporated into everyday food.
The United Nations and the Indian Government recognised 2023 as the ‘International Year of Millets’ to promote the production and consumption of millets. The reason for this is that millets can be grown in drought-like conditions and have a higher nutritional content when compared to major crops like rice and wheat. This initiative also brings to light the fact that India once had a millet based diet, which was replaced by the rice based diet of today, brought about by the Green Revolution.
According to a faculty member of the Department, the aim of the stall was to improvise and develop new recipes using millets and to use them to prepare traditional dishes. The stall sold commonly consumed dishes made using millets, such as pearl millet ribbon pakoda, little millet vadai, foxtail millet chocolate cake, and so on. Many students enjoyed tasting these new recipes. “It was interesting to try something new and I hope there will be something like this again,” said one student.
The Department also held a webinar on 8th August on “Loan Proposals for Small Enterprises” by Dr. Anne Beryl Catherine S, Associate Professor and HOD of Commerce, for tribal women of Yercaud Hills, Salem, at Copper Pod Hall. The session also aimed to educate tribal women on the health benefits of millets.
Webinar for tribal women
Photo credits: Ms Hepzibah Joanna Charles