A proposal of India, the United Nations has agreed to celebrate ‘International Year of Millets’ in 2023. The basic idea behind the move was to create awareness and inspire all stakeholders to work towards improving production and productivity of the climate-resilient and nutritious millet across the globe.

According to the notification issued by Secretary of University Grants Commission (UGC), Ministry of Education, Government of India, Prof. Rajnish Jain videD.O.No.2-5/ 2021 (CPP-II) dated 29th November 2021directed all Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to observe the year 2023 as “International Year of Millets” to take following actions:

i.        Awareness programmes on the benefits and nutritional values of Millets which could help tackle life style problems and health challenges such as obesity and diabetics.

ii.      Propagation of benefits of consumption of Millets by displaying banners in and around campuses of universities/ colleges/ institutions.

iii.    Organising workshops/ seminars/ conferences on millets.

iv.    Health talks/ debates on the benefits of Millets.

v.      To add millets in the diet charts of HEIs canteens.

vi.    To include a chapter on nutritional values of Millets in Home Science Departments of HEIs.

vii.  Importance of improving production and productivity of the climate resilient millet in relevant department like Agriculture, Home Science, Food processing, Nutrition Science, Hotel Management, Catering Science, Culinary Arts, Community Health etc. in HEIs.

The order has directed to be brought into the notice of the affiliated colleges/ institutions of their university.

(Kiso, IA Peren)