The education ministry has reminded all states and union territories that schools across the nation should start serving meals made from millet recipes and create a calendar of events to raise awareness of the nutritious coarse grains during the current International Year of Millets.
According to a statement released on July 5, the ministry wrote to all states and union territories in April asking them to provide a schedule of events organised by month to raise awareness of millets. “However, the information is still pending,” the statement said.
“Kindly instruct the concerned officials in your State/UT for taking suitable actions to adopt millet-based recipes in the canteens/mess of the schools/offices and promote their health and nutritious benefits as well as provide month-wise calendar of activities to create awareness regarding use of Shree Anna for celebration of International Year of Millets to this Department at the earliest,” the ministry said.
India requested that the United Nations designate 2023 as the International Year of Millets, and the country has since launched an initiative to spread awareness of the sturdy, coarse grains that are packed with micronutrients.
An official who declined to be named claimed that several states have yet to inform the ministry what the actions and efforts they are taking to make the millet year a success despite repeated requests. The official stated, “The ministry has once more asked the states to submit the details.”
Additionally, the ministry instructed the states to use an Indian organisation called the Food Safety and Standards Authority’s millet-based recipe book. Last year, the ministry requested that all states include millets to the free lunch menus provided to children in public and government-aided institutions up to class 8. Additionally, it placed a focus on raising awareness among parents and kids about the benefits of millets for nutrition and food security.
