Garo food showcased at Tura food fest

TURA, SEPT 24: It was toast to food and music at the Icfai food festival, which was hosted at the Icfai University Meghalaya premises on Saturday.

The festival was attended by sports and youth affairs minister Zenith Sangma, parliamentary secretary Ashahel D Shira and deputy commissioner of West Garo Hills Pravin Bakshi, among others.

Forty two participants took part in the competition, including students which comprised of five categories — Indian, indigenous, vegetable carving, salad and confectionaries.

The competition was judged by some of the best-known food experts of Tura.

The competition was organised by the Department of Travel and Tourism, Icfai University Meghalaya.

Talking on the potential of exotic Garo delicacies, Zenith Sangma said, “We have to popularise the local cuisines to attract visitors to Garo hills. People travel for several reasons and one of the factors is always the food”.

He said that mission organic – a flagship programme of the state government- would benefit interested entrepreneurs, who would set up ventures, which revolves around the food industry. “The government is committed to provide a complete protection and security in the food chain through mission organic”, he added.

Zenith said that Meghalaya hosted the international Terra Madre festival last year in Shillong to demonstrate the diversity of the indigenous local cuisines and have successfully marketed the state.

“We have to promote our food stories and the nutritional value of fresh food”, he said.

Vice Chancellor of Icfai University Meghalaya Dr. Alicia Gatpoh said, “The festival is an attempt to supplement the tourism industry”. She said that through the festival the university enlightened the students on the scope of food industry.

Bakshi on the other hand said the strength of Garo hills lies in its food, which needs to be promoted and branded.-From Our Correspondent

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