Pushpa Gujral Science City in collaboration with Punjab Agri Export Corporation Ltd organized Food & Nutrition Show to bringawareness on healthy eating habits.
Mohammad Tayyab, IAS Special Secretary, Department ofFinance Govt of Punjab was the Chief Guest on this occasion. He said thatcreating awareness amongst consumers about the benefits of eating healthy andthe science behind safe foods would lead to optimum utilization of resources aswell as cultivation and production of better quality food products. Further,India has the largest number of organic food producers and is ranked the ninthlargest in terms of the land dedicated to organic agriculture, however, organicfood market in India is growing as the awareness about organic foods is stilllow and is limited to consumers in metro cities, he added.
Dr. NeelimaJerath, Director General Science City givingintroductory remarks at the occasion said that Food, Health and Nutrition arean indispensable part of life. Further, making healthy food choices, eatingnutritional food and savouring the diversity of food which our country has tooffer, needs to be inculcated in the society. The benefits of traditionalgrains and crops, the release of aromatic compounds while cooking and theretention of vitamins and minerals in raw and cooked food as well as thescience behind healthy food habits also needs to be effectively communicatedamongst the masses, she added.
Mr. Ranbir Singh,General Manager, Punjab Agri Export Corporation Limited (PAGREXO) and ChiefExecutive Officer, Punjab Agro Juices Limited was also present at thisoccasion. He informed that PAGREXCO has created a base of 5,000 farmers with anarea of 15,000 acres under organic certification regime where organic food isgrown in compliance with Organic standards of National and Internationalstandards.
Speaking at the occasion, Dr.Madhu Gill, ConsultantOrganic, Punjab Agro said that organic programme is being implemented in Punjabby providing institutional support to the farmers desiring to shift to Organicfarming starting from production, value addition and marketing. She furtherinformed that the farmers are provided with Training, Guidance and TechnicalSupport for Organic practices by the trained team of Field staff forCertification regime.
Dr. Rajesh Grover, Director Science City delivering voteof thanks at the occasion said that theshowaimedat providing a platform for allinspiring chefs who wish to carve a niche for themselves in becoming a foodexpert even without obtaining any formal training.
The show also marked organization of competitions onNutritious Street Food and organic Food Bazar for students of HotelManagement/home Science and Housewives with the motto to change the perceptionabout street food. Chef Vishavdeep Bali and Chef NelluKaura were the judges ofthe competition. The Winners were awarded with cash prizes.
Result of the Food Show : In a student s category firstprize has been achieved Mr. BhavikAgrrawal from CT university, Arshdeep and Akshita from KM jalandhar clinchedthe second prize and Akanksha and Shivam from IKG PTu received third prize. Ina House wife/ Other Category Aruna, Varun and Savita received first, second and third prize.
Ms. Harsimran Kaur from Hindu Kanya College Kapurthala and Amitoj Bedi from Rayat and Bahra Group of Institutionswere the winner of online Art and Science Compactions also awarded on this occasion .