MHA introduces millets in meals given to CAPF, NDRF personnel

“Recognising the importance of millets, and creating a domestic and global demand along with providing nutritious food to the people, at the behest of the central government, the United Nations declared 2023 the International Year Millets. The campaign of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to promote Shree Anna will fulfill nutritional requirements of crores of people of the country,” an MHA spokesperson said.

“Millets are good for health and also beneficial for farmers and environment friendly. The millets are energy dense, drought resistant, with lower water requirements and can be grown with ease in arid soils, hilly terrain and are less susceptible to pests. Some of the important benefits of the Millets are – good source of proteins, gluten-free; low in Glycemic Index (GI); and rich in dietary fibre, micronutrients including calcium, iron, phosphorus etc, and phyto-chemicals, thus boosting the nutritional profile of a soldier’s diet,” the spokesperson added.

The MHA had asked all the forces to take action to introduce millets-based menus.

“The forces have shown overwhelming response and are eager to introduce millets in meals on a regular basis. Millets will also be extensively used in various functions and events of the CAPFs and NDRF,” the spokesperson said.

Millets will also be made available in Kendriya Police Kalyan Bhandar, grocery shops, of the campuses and ration stores by setting up dedicated counters or corners.

The forces will organise training of cooks in preparing millets based dishes through reputed institutes in this field.

“To generate awareness among the troops and their family members for use of millets, the services of dieticians and expert agencies will be utilised. Beside this, various events, exhibitions, seminars, webinars, workshops and symposiums will be conducted on ‘Know Your Millets’,” the spokesperson said.