The minister was speaking at the release of a postal stamp on millets by India Post. Commemorating International Year of Millets, the exclusive postal stamp celebrates millets and the nationwide efforts to raise awareness about the ‘super food’.
The minister said if we have to reduce the number of hospitals, we need to include ‘Shree Anna’ (millets) in our food. “To all farmers, bring out your best efforts to get ‘Shree Anna’ to our thalis (plates). If we want to get rid of lifestyle diseases, we have to introduce millets in our diet, which has been our traditional food,” he added.
The stamp was released by Choudhary in the presence of Manju Kumar, chief postmaster general, department of post, and S Sivakumar, group head, agri business, ITC Limited. The stamp was brought out in collaboration with ITC, which is encouraging millet farming and consumption in the country through its ITC Mission Millets project.
Priyal Bhardwaj, CEO and founder of Sangini Saheli, along with farmers from Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh were felicitated for their work during the event. The minister also spoke on the Centre’s initiatives in ‘Shree Anna’ promotion and being the largest producer and second largest exporter of millets in the world. Choudhary said that post millet mission, the farmers have started gradually reaping the benefits and in coming years with increased demand and exports, these will only increase.
Sunil Sharma, deputy director general, India Post, said: “The customised stamp marks a milestone in this journey to mainstream and restore world’s superfood – millets not only nationally but also globally. It is a momentous occasion and brings to bear the collective effort of the nation.”
