The Sattvik host by Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (SRISTI)
Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions (SRISTI) will host the Sattvik - 13th Traditional Food Festival during January 9 to 11, 2016. The unique food festival will be organized at IIM Ahmedabad's new campus.
Shri O P Kohli, Honourable Governor of Gujarat, will inaugurate the festival on Saturday, January 9, 2016.
The festival aims to take people back to their roots and renew their interest in forgotten, traditional recipes, lesser known grains, vegetables and minor millets. SRISTI has ensured that only healthy, maida-free recipes are allowed to participate in the festival. All the recipes have been tested and verified by SRISTI and those that did not meet the standards, have been disqualified by SRISTI.
The festival will host unique and interesting recipes such as Israeli Ghughra and Yam Tikki (Jewish recipes), Manipuri Black Rice Kheer, Singju (salad) and Umorok (King Chilli Pickle), Uttarakhand's Ramdana Kheer, Ghughani and Paan Milkshake from West Bengal, Barra Gulla, Ragi Tea and Arissa from Odisha, Pongal from Tamil Nadu, Kaang Sheera from Himachal Pradesh, Gundali Kheer from Jharkhand, Saati Ki Kadhi and Paratha from Haryana, Sindhi Kadhi besides Gujarati recipes like Cactus ice-cream made using stevia, Surti Ponk, among others.
For the first time, a Maldhari association will participate in Sattvik to sell camel milk and sheep milk.
"We have ensured that only quality produce and recipes that use traditional grains, millets or vegetables from respective states are allowed at the food festival. Cotton seed oil, for example, has not been allowed in cooking to prevent the harmful effects of BT Cotton. There are very few dishes that are deep fried and some recipes have been modified to make them healthier," said Ramesh Patel, secretary of SRISTI.
This is also the first time that Sattvik will be a zero waste event. While plastic will not be allowed at the venue, SRISTI has set up a 10 cubic meter flexible bio-gas plant at Sattvik. All the waste collected during the festival will be converted to bio-gas and will be put to good use instead of being dumped at garbage disposal sites.
A recipe contest will be organised at Sattvik on January 8, 2016, with an aim to raise awareness about healthy eating and cooking habits among families. The contest also aims to change perceptions about techniques required to cook healthy food.
With an aim to provide a platform for people seeking better health, two interactive sessions with experts will be held at the venue. The first session will be held during 3-5 pm on Saturday, January 9, 2016 by Dr Dinesh Pandya, Superintendent of Akhandanand Ayurvedic Hospital, Ahmedabad. Another session by Dr Janki Patel, Food and Nutrition expert will be held on Sunday, January 10, 2016. She will speak on the topic "Diet is Medicine" (Aahar ej Aushadh) which will provide answers to all health problems. All visitors to Sattvik Traditional Food Festival are welcome to attend these sessions and seek guidance from the experts.
There are also several activities for children are planned throughout the day. A music and cultural programme involving professionals will also be organised every evening. Underprivileged children from slums of Ahmedabad and SMILE (an educational initiative by IIM-A students) children will also perform.
Prof Anil Gupta, founder of SRISTI and Professor at IIM Ahmedabad said, "Our goal at Sattvik is to contribute towards conservation of agro-biodiversity, stimulate demand for less known crops and their varieties, forgotten tastes, ties and treats. We also wish to help organic producers by giving them a platform and connecting them to consumers."
Sattvik provides a platform for social entrepreneurs so that they can share their vision and ideologies with the visitors. The following events will be a part of Sattvik:
[*](Khedut Haat) Farmers' fair of organic and eco-friendly agro-products
[*]Competitions highlighting children's creativity and biodiversity knowledge
[*]Exhibition of grassroots innovations
[*]Crafts, pottery, folk dance and music
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Other attractions:
Secret to Longevity from Centenarians: Visitors will be most welcome to share tips and advice from their over 100-year-old grandparents/parents at a stall set up by SRISTI. Recently, SRISTI documented the profiles of centenarians (people who live nearly upto 100 years or more) in the form of a book, which was released by Honourable President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee on November 26, 2015. It was published by SRISTI Innovations Publications in collaboration with HelpAge India Foundation, Honey Bee Network and NIF India.
Innovation exhibition by children and grassroots innovators: SRISTI organises various competitions and workshops for children around the year. Sattvik will display award-winning ideas and prototypes of grassroots innovators and students, which have been selected from workshops by SRISTI.
Tips for Organic Farming: Visitors can take lessons and tips on managing and converting organic waste into manure for their kitchen and home gardens at the venue.
About Sattvik:
Sattvik was started 12 years ago by SRISTI to promote conservation of agro-biodiversity and creation of demand for nutritional crops, which are rarely or less cultivated now. The paradox of development is such that nutritious food is still consumed in the most under-developed areas. This festival aspires to bring the lesser known but nutrient-rich food from these areas to the urban populace, helping them to adopt healthier food habits and lifestyles. The festival also hopes to encourage the farmers to grow such crops and augment their income.
About SRISTI:
SRISTI is a non-governmental organization set up to strengthen the creativity of grassroots inventors, innovators and ecopreneurs engaged in conserving biodiversity and developing eco-friendly solutions to local problems.
Twice a year, SRISTI organises Shodh Yatra, a journey for the search of knowledge, creativity and innovations at the grassroots. Started in 1998, Shodh Yatra is an attempt, on the part of SRISTI, to reach out to the most remote parts of the country with a firm belief that the hardship and challenges of natural surroundings are prime motivators of creativity and innovations. Sattvik will also provide a platform for visitors to know more about the Shodh Yatras. It will provide a glimpse of various parts of the country where the Shodh Yatra has been organized till now through an exhibition.
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