PM Narendra Modi, Rajnath Singh, Mallikarjun Kharge, fellow MPs enjoy 'all millet' lunch in Parliament - See pics

To mark Millet Year 2023, agriculture minister Narendra Tomar hosted a lunch that was attended by PM Modi, defence Minister Rajnath Singh, RS Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar, LS Chairman Om Birla and LOP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.

New Delhi: Amid the heated debates, discussions and walkouts the Members of Parliament on Tuesday enjoyed a sumptuous lunch in the company of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. To mark Millet Year 2023, agriculture minister Narendra Tomar hosted a lunch that was attended by PM Modi, defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar, Lok Sabha Chairman Om Birla and Congress president and LOP Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. "We prepared delicacies including Roti and sweets made out of Jwar bajra and ragi for which chefs were specially brought in from Karnataka. I was delighted that the Prime Minister really enjoyed his meal here," Minister of State for agriculture Shobha Karandlaje was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Taking to Twitter, PM Modi said, "As we prepare to mark 2023 as the International Year of Millets, attended a sumptuous lunch in Parliament where millet dishes were served. Good to see participation from across party lines."

In a tweet in Hindi, agriculture minister Narendra Tomar said, "Taking an initiative to celebrate the International Year of Nutritious Cereals in the year 2023 and to promote Millets in the country and the world, a 'Special Millets Lunch' was organized for MPs in the Parliament premises today."

As we prepare to mark 2023 as the International Year of Millets, attended a sumptuous lunch in Parliament where millet dishes were served. Good to see participation from across party lines. pic.twitter.com/PjU1mQh0F3

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 20, 2022

The delicacies that were prepared today included Khichdi made out of millet, Ragi Dosa, Ragi Roti, Jowar roti, Haldi sabji, bajra, Churma. The sweet delicacies included bajra Kheer bajra cake amongst others. 

Earlier today, during the BJP Parliamentary Party meeting PM Modi laid emphasis on the celebration of International Millet Year 2023 and suggested ways to promote an ongoing nutrition campaign through millet. On the initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the United Nations has declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millet (IYOM).

प्रधानमंत्री श्री @narendramodi जी चाहते हैं कि हमारे प्राचीन पोषक-अनाज को भोजन की थाली में पुनः सम्मानजनक स्थान मिले। साथ ही, यह पहल दीर्घकाल में मिलेट्स की खेती करने वाले किसानों को लाभकारी प्रतिफल भी सुनिश्चित करे।#IYM2023 #InternationalYearOfMillets2023 pic.twitter.com/Cv4sLDvGYa — Narendra Singh Tomar (@nstomar) December 20, 2022

The Government of India had notified millet as a nutritious- cereal in April 2018 and millet has also been included in the Poshan Mission campaign. Under the National Food Security Mission (NFMS), a nutritious cereal component for Millet is being implemented in 212 districts of 14 States. 

The Vice President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, along with Prime Minister, Shri @narendramodi, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri @ombirlakota & other dignitaries attending the millet luncheon organised by @AgriGoI at Parliament House, to celebrate the International Year of Millets 2023. #IYM2023 pic.twitter.com/ZWpR7xRJLQ — Vice President of India (@VPSecretariat) December 20, 2022

Asia and Africa are the major production and consumption centres of millet crops. India, Niger, Sudan and Nigeria are the major producer of millet. India is the major production country of Millet in which Kangni, Kutki or small millet, Kodon, Gangora or Barnyard, china and Brown top are included with Jowar, Bajra, Ragi and small millets.

Most of the states in India grow one or more millet crop species. During the last 5 years, our country produced more than 13.71 to 18 million tonnes of millet with the highest production in 2020-21. 

(With ANI inputs)