YUVA PRATIBHA – Culinary Talent Hunt to promote Millets

Yuva Pratibha Culinary Talent Hunt

On May 12, 2023, MyGov and the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM), Pusa launched ‘YUVA PRATIBHA – Culinary Talent Hunt’. The competition seeks to promote India’s diverse culinary heritage and its importance to the world. The competition will help rediscover lost recipes and encourage young chefs and home cooks to showcase their culinary talents.

What is a Millet?

• Millet is a term used to describe several small-seeded annual grasses that are grown as grain crops in dry areas across different regions.
• Some of the commonly found millets in India include Ragi, Jowar, Sama, Bajra, and Variga.
• These grains were among the first domesticated plants for food and have been discovered during the Indus civilization.
• Millets are a traditional food for around 600 million people in Asia and Africa and are grown in about 131 countries worldwide.
• India is the largest producer of millets in the world, accounting for 20% of global production and 80% of Asia’s production.

More About the YUVA PRATIBHA

Aim/Objectives

• The competition is organized to encourage and showcase the culinary skills of young Indians.
• It will also raise awareness about the nutritional value and importance of millet in ensuring food security and improving nutrition.
• The event aims to promote millets at a national level and increase their consumption.
• Participants will be encouraged to incorporate millets into their cooking, promoting their versatility and health benefits.

Participation

• To participate in the contest, visit the Innovateindia website.
• Only Indian citizens aged between 18 to 40 years are eligible to participate.
• Entries must be submitted on the MyGov portal and entries submitted through any other mode will not be evaluated.
• The dish/recipe should be home-cooked, and at least 50% of the ingredients should be millet.
• Participants must submit 3 photographs: (i) a photo of the ingredients used; (ii) a photo of the dish prepared, and (iii) a photo of the participant with the dish.
• The description of the dish should be clear and precise, including all the steps involved.
• The content is available in both Hindi and English.
• Participants are allowed to submit only one entry.

Rewards

• The top 3 winners of the contest will be announced in a physical event in New Delhi.
• The first prize winner will receive ₹1,00,000/-, a trophy, and a certificate.
• The second prize winner will receive ₹75,000/-, a trophy, and a certificate.
• The third prize winner will receive ₹50,000/-, a trophy, and a certificate.
• The winners who secure the first three positions will receive mentorship for one month by executive chefs. In case the winner and the mentor belong to different cities, a mentorship stipend will also be provided.
• The twelve contestants who make it to the final round will be rewarded with a cash prize of ₹5,000/- each.

International Year of Millets in 2023

• India proposed observing an International Year of Millets in 2023, which was approved by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in 2018.
• The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, following the adoption of a United Nations Resolution.
• India led the proposal, which was supported by over 70 nations.
• The objectives of the International Year of Millets are
  • to increase awareness of the contribution of millet to food security and nutrition,
  • inspire stakeholders to improve sustainable production and quality of millet
  • focus on enhanced investment in research and development and extension services to achieve the other two aims.

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