As the United Nations declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets (IYM), on India's request, a week of celebrations titled 'Iconic Week on Millets Magic' will be held from Sept 25 to Oct 1, 2023, in Jaipur to commemorate the event.
Speaking at the virtual launch ceremony of 'Iconic Week on Millets Magic' organized by Magic Millet, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said millets are more resilient than other grains and cereals, making them a more reliable crop in the face of climate change and unpredictable weather. "Through education, research, and promotion, we can make sure that millets receives the recognition it deserves and help to improve food security and sustainability around the world."
"This makes them an excellent choice for farmers looking to maximize their yields and incomes. Finally, millets are an affordable and accessible food source," he added. As the International Year of Millets (IYM) begins, the government stated on January 1 that it has planned a number of millet-related promotional activities across the nation.
Jaipur Foot-USA chairman Prem Bhandari and Consul General of India in New York Randhir Jaiswal inaugurated the festival during the event. The poster of International Millets Festival was also unveiled by Lok Samvad Sansthan, a organizer of the event.
Calling on mass participation in the event especially from the diaspora, Muraleedharan said, “We should aim to make the International Year of Millets a people’s movement, a true jan-andolan. And that is where the role of community organizations and NGOs such as Jaipur Foot and Lok Samvad Sansthan becomes critical.”
Recalling PM’s message during the opening ceremony of International Year of Millets at in Rome, where he said "Millets are good for the consumer, cultivator and climate”, Bhandari reiterated the many advantages of millets. He lauded the G20 President Harsh Vardhan Shringla for including one millet dish in all G20 functions that are taking place in the country.
Bhandari affirmed that they will do everything possible to connect 40 million immigrants spread across the world with Millets' programs and all other government initiatives be it Millets, Yoga day celebrations or other such programs.
In order to commemorate the international year, the Indian Consulate in New York, according to Consul General Randhir Jaiswal, will organize a calendar of events throughout 2023. To ensure the festival's success, the diaspora is strongly encouraged to participate.
Jaiswal claimed that boosting millets is "win-win" for everyone, claiming that they are beneficial for people's health, the environment, and the Sustainable Development Goals, as well as for small and marginal farmers and the improvement of food and nutrition security.
He stated that through the United Nations, India had just given the world the International Day of Millets, International Day of Yoga, and International Day of Non-Violence.
