Several world leaders, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who have converged for the G20 Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi will be treated to lip-smacking Indian delicacies, including those prepared from millets.
India sponsored the proposal for the International Year of Millets (IYM) 2023, which was accepted by the United Nations General Assembly. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also expressed his desire for IYM 2023 to become a “people’s movement” and for India to become a “global hub for millets”.
The move to serve Indian street food and millet-based dishes to the G20 leaders not only showcases the rich culinary heritage of India but also aligns with the summit’s theme of unity and shared future, said Muktesh Pardeshi, Special Secretary who heads the operations and logistics of India’s G20 Presidency Secretariat.
“Delhi is very well known for its street food, particularly the Chandni Chowk area. So, when you visit our international media centre, I am sure you will also get a taste of the street food of India,” he said.
“Besides, 2023 is the year of millets, and millet-based dishes will also be served,” the official said.
Speaking of desserts, Pardeshi said they would reflect the culinary diversity of India. “Keeping the season in mind, we may see ghewar also being served,” he added.
Pardeshi said all hotels where world leaders and delegates were staying would be served innovative millet dishes.
Millets are considered traditional food for more than half a billion people across Asia and Africa and are currently grown in more than 130 countries, including India, the agriculture ministry earlier said.
At various G20 events held in the run-up to the main summit, delegates were served millet dishes for both lunch and dinner, respectively. Whether it was the G20 Tourism Minister’s Meeting in Goa in June or the G20 Culture Ministers’ Meeting in Varanasi in August, leaders have got a taste of the delicious delicacies prepared from millets, including Ragi Litti and Chokha.