Wild Veg Delights: Pulao to Momos Take Centre Stage at Food Fest

Rapid Summary

• A ran-bhaji (wild vegetable) festival was held in Canacona, Goa, showcasing over 550 dishes made from wild and seasonal vegetables.
• The festival featured participation from 182 groups, including 139 self-help groups, 20 anganwadis, and 23 high schools.
• The IIHM Young Chef Olympiad 2025 team participated in the event.
• Highlighted dishes included ran-bhaji cake, pulao, momos, and cutlets. Wild vegetables were also sold in raw form at reasonable prices.
• Power minister Ramkrishna ‘Sudin’ Dhavalikar inaugurated the event alongside other notable personalities like Padmashree awardee Chaitram pawar and BJP state president Damodar Naik.
• Organized by Shree Balram Charitable Trust with support from Goa Biodiversity Board and departments of agriculture and tribal affairs too promote customary Goan vegetable preparations known for health benefits.

!Wild Vegetable Festival

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Indian Opinion Analysis

The Canacona ran-bhaji festival demonstrates important efforts to revive interest in traditional knowledge tied to local biodiversity through food culture. With over 550 unique dishes being showcased by diverse community groups-spanning self-help collectives to schools-it reflects both the inclusivity of the event as well as its commitment toward education on sustainability practices through age-old culinary traditions.

The strong turnout underscores public enthusiasm for reconnecting with indigenous food ingredients amidst growing awareness about health benefits of natural produce-a meaningful shift given concerns around lifestyle diseases globally linked to modern processed diets.Support by government entities such as the Goa Biodiversity Board highlights recognition of cultural importance while strengthening conservation efforts nationally; festivals like these could serve as models for other regions seeking preservation initiatives rooted in farming heritage or tribal cultures without political bias influencing public acceptance or legacy continuity goals sensibly scaled locally long term impacts remains open longer observed facets maturities trends actionable paths!