New Delhi, Dec 1 (NationPress) Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the Union Minister for Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare, is set to inaugurate the Saras Aajeevika Food Festival today in the capital city.

This vibrant festival, organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, will take place at Sunder Nursery near Humayun’s Tomb, Nizamuddin, and will continue until December 9. It aims to showcase the rich culinary diversity of India.

Also attending the launch will be Union Minister of Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr. Chandrasekhar Pemmasani, and Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan.

This year's festival is expected to attract many visitors from Delhi and surrounding areas. More than 300 Lakhpati Didis and other women from Self Help Groups (SHGs) across 25 states will participate, displaying over 500 traditional and regional dishes. A total of 62 food stalls have been arranged, serving dishes crafted by SHGs under the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), a key initiative of the Rural Development Ministry.

The festival will be accessible to the public daily from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Attendees can relish a myriad of authentic cuisines, including Himachali Siddu, Uttarakhand’s Tandoor Tea, Jammu and Kashmir’s Kalari Kulcha, Hyderabadi Dum Biryani, North Eastern Momos, Bengali Fried Fish and Hilsa, Rajasthani Ker Sangri, Telangana-style chicken, Kerala’s Malabar Biryani, Bihar’s Litti Chokha, and the iconic Sarson ka Saag with Makki ki Roti from Punjab.

States including Haryana, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Goa, and Gujarat are also part of this festival. Beyond the culinary offerings, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the cultural and social richness of various Indian regions.

The Saras Aajeevika Food Festival is a testament to women’s empowerment, showcasing how SHG women across the nation have not only preserved traditional recipes but have also developed skills in producing a range of rural products.

Thanks to NRLM, these groups have bolstered rural livelihoods, increased household incomes, and established a nationwide network of skilled women entrepreneurs.

With its rich aromas, traditional tastes, and a focus on self-reliance, the festival is set to become a significant cultural event in the heart of the national capital.