Himalaya Harbinger, Uttarakhand Bureau.
Pantnagar. 23 August 2025. On the final day of the ongoing three-day “Shri Anna Utsav” at G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, an exhibition was inaugurated showcasing various food products/dishes made from “Shri Anna” (millets). The scientists from KVKs and representatives of Self-Help Groups participated in the exhibition. The exhibition was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, Government of India, Shri Ajay Tamta. The chief guest praised everyone’s efforts. Following the visit to exhibition, a one-day Symposium “Rediscovery Millets in India for Developed Nation (Remind-2025)” was organized.
In his address, the chief guest, Shri Ajay Tamta, appreciated the efforts of Pantnagar University in promoting millets (Shri Anna). He stated that under the visionary leadership of the Hon’ble Prime Minister, India is emerging as a global leader in millet promotion. Millets are part of our cultural heritage and their importance in nutritional security is well established. Reviving the millets is not only essential for food security but also for increasing farmers’ income, improving national health and promoting sustainable agriculture. He assured that the government is committed to strengthening millet cultivation, processing, and marketing and efforts would be made to include millets in the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other public nutrition schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Abhiyan, Anganwadi programs etc.
As the special guest, Mr. Veer Shetty Patil, known as the “Millets Man of Telangana”, shared his success story in millet entrepreneurship and inspired the audience to view millets as a commercial opportunity. He emphasized that by focusing on value addition, branding, and direct marketing, millets can become the backbone of rural entrepreneurship. He also said that youth should make millets an inspirational and improved part of urban diets.
In his presidential address, Vice-Chancellor Dr. Manmohan Singh Chauhan highlighted the leading role of Pantnagar University in agricultural transformation. He said that after leading the Green Revolution, Pantnagar is now ready to lead the Millet Revolution. He emphasized that millets are climate-resilient crops with immense health benefits. They require fewer resources and enhance the resilience of farming systems. He highlighted the university’s initiatives in variety development, harvesting, post-harvest technologies, and farmer training programs.
He also announced a new initiative: Millet-based meals will be served twice a week in the university’s 23 hostels to familiarize students with the nutritional value of millets and promote wider societal acceptance. Additionally, he shared that a mango variety at the university’s Horticulture Research Centre in Patharchatta has been named “Sindoor” to honour the Operation Sindoor. Dr. Chauhan urged scientists and students not only to continue their daily tasks but also to innovate, and to work towards developing a millet variety in the next five years that can benefit both the university and the hill farmers, thereby increasing their income. He also informed that, following an agreement with the Indian Army, 17 army chefs are being trained to incorporate millet-based products into army meals.
Program Convenor and Director Research Dr. A.S. Nain outlined the three-day event on millets and emphasized the importance of mainstreaming millets into farming practices, modern diets, and food policies to combat malnutrition and create new opportunities for rural entrepreneurship.
Organizing Secretary and Dean Student Welfare Dr. A.S. Jeena elaborated on the objectives of the seminar and shared that the General Bipin Singh Rawat Institute is actively organizing a series of events under the Shri Anna Utsav. These include debates, quizzes, poster and slogan competitions, as well as a lecture series to raise awareness among students about the importance of millets. Local school children and university students participating in the competitions were awarded by the chief guest and the vice-chancellor.
A book containing 77 millet-based recipes, authored by Dr. Archana Kushwaha from the College of Community Science and books authored by other scientists were released. The session concluded with a formal vote of thanks delivered by Joint Director of Research Dr. P.K. Singh, who expressed gratitude to the dignitaries, organizers, and participants.
In the technical session held in the afternoon, detailed lectures on millets were delivered by Dr. Satyen Yadav, Chairman, Millet Initiative, Dr. Mujeebur Rahman Khan, Ex Dean, Aligarh Muslim University and Mr. Veer Shetty Patil, Millets Man of Telangana, participants also presented oral and poster presentations during the session. The seminar witnessed active participation from researchers, farmers, women’s Self-Help Groups, students, and entrepreneurs, as well as university officials, deans, directors, department heads, faculty members, and students.
