President of India, Droupadi Murmu, hosted the official G20 gala dinner in Delhi on Saturday at Bharat Mandapam where the world leaders including US President Joe Biden, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and other delegates were served meals in silver and gold-plated utensils while the three courses of vegetarian food menu with different kinds of millets celebrated an “autumn season of abundance”.

Source: The Hindustan Times

The official dinner of the delegates will consisted of‘all-vegetarian’ meal without eggs or meat, according to media reports. Delegates were served with local food and traditional dishes throughout the summit.

The delicacies served to the guests included dishes made from “Shree Anna” (millets) — considered as super foods — and Kashmiri Kahwa, according to the dinner’s menu which reflected India’s diverse culinary tradition.



Source: Mint

There was also a special mention of millets in the menu, describing their nutritional and agricultural value. Here's what was served for the G20 dinner:
- Starters
Paatram: Foxtail millets leaf crisps topped with a yoghurt sphere and spiced chutney
- Main Course
Vanavarnam: Jackfruit galette served with glazed forest mushrooms, Little millets crisp and curry leaf-tossed Kerala red rice
- Indian Breads
Mumbai Pao: Onion seed-flavoured soft bun
Bakarkhani: Cardamom-flavoured sweet flatbread
- Dessert
Madhurima ‘Pot of gold’: Cardamom scented Barnyard millets pudding, fig-peach compote and Ambemohar rice crisps
- Beverages
Kashmiri Kahwa, Filter Coffee and Darjeeling Tea
Paan-flavoured chocolate leaves

Source: India Today

In the month of February 2023, AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) in Delhi took a leap of faith and issued orders to add healthy items to the canteen menu. And as per the PTI report, the healthy additions to the menu were boiled eggs, milk, cereals, sprouts, chana, fruit salad, juices, and more.
In the same league, AIIMS Bhubaneswar introduced millets in their daily diet for students and indoor patients. As per a TOI report, Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director initiated the process on Monday and distributed millets-based food items to the patients.
According to his statement, these foods will provide essential fiber to the patients and aid in faster recovery. And for students, he mentioned that millets will help manage their weight and boost immunity.

Source: Times of India

It may be noted that militias have been given special focus by the government, after the United Nations (UN) General Assembly at its 75th session declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM2023).
Prof Sanjay Wadhava, Head, PMR, Delhi-AIIMS, said that millets contain fibre which helps in digestion, and controls the cholesterol level and weight.

"Millets intake helps in controlling the level of sugar and it reduces the risk of heart diseases. For people, who have gluten sensitivity, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye, that at times cause severe adverse reactions including, boating and severe loose motions, millets can be helpful to help them ease their problems," Dr Wadhwa said.

Padmashree and Ex-Head of the Department of Community Medicine, Prof Chandrakant Pandav, said that millets intake controls and prevents many conditions including, diabetes, obesity, malnutrition, cancers, arthritis and osteoporosis. It is also helpful for gut health.

Source: Drug Today