Are you serious? Khichdi may become India’s national food

The humble khichdi, usually the choice of food for the ill, will find its way in record books when over 800 kilograms is prepared at the World Food India event in New Delhi on Nov 4.

Khichdi -- prepared using rice, pulses, coarse cereals and spices -- has been selected as Brand India Food because it symbolises the country's unity in diversity, according to Centre.

Several media outlets are reporting that the event could also mark khichdi becoming India’s national food.

A giant 'kadhai' (frying pan) of the capacity of 1,000 litres and 7 feet in diameter will be used for slow steam-cooking of more than 800 kg khichdi.

The khichdi will be prepared by renowned chef Sanjeev Kapoor, who has been roped as the brand ambassador of the Great India Food Street for the three-day event starting November 3, being organised by Food Processing Ministry along with CII.

The cooked khichdi will be distributed to about 60,000 orphan children as well as guests present at the event. The khichdi will also be distributed to the Heads of Foreign Missions in India along with the recipe.

Brand India Khichdi's ingredients and the recipe will be popularised by Indian Foreign Missions throughout the world.

The government will ensure that Khichdi is available in restaurants and kitchens around the world, an official statement said.

The idea is believed to be the brainchild of Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who echoed that khichdi symbolised India’s ‘great culture of unity in diversity’ at its best.

"Khichdi is the wonder staple food of India and is considered the healthiest prepared food in India and it is being eaten across length and breadth of India by rich and poor," Badal told reporters at the curtain raiser event.

(with PTI inputs)