Mysuru: The two-day millet Mela (Festival) began yesterday at Bharat Scouts and Guides ground to create awareness on its nutritious and health benefits on incorporating it as a daily part of our diet. The festival had several small kiosks where millets of various varieties are being sold. People swelled in numbers to the kiosks. Jaggery, Bamboo rice, Dal, Coconut oils, Snack bars, etc. are also being sold. A walk through the Mela, will introduce one to several kiosks that grab your attention. Star of Mysore managed to get in close with some of the sellers. Manu, one of the sellers, had setup his store where he sold Pearl millet, Kodo Millet seed, Kodo Millet rice, little millet rice, barnyard millet, promo millet seed, browntop millet seed, foxtail millet seed, foxtail millet rice, Ragi, etc. He said, “We have our own farmers who reside all around Karnataka and we concentrate on growing local variety of crops. We sell it in Mysuru near V.V. Mohalla and also have a branch in Bengaluru.” Pavan Kumar, Owner of Cafe Natural had set up his store where sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, watermelon seeds, flax seeds (all roasted as well as ready to eat seeds) etc. were sold. The crowd turned its attention towards his store as it had Millet banana cake, Millet sweets, Millet choco chip, special homemade chocolates, chikki’s out of the above mentioned seeds as well as snacks like Millet Muffins and Millet nippits. They have their outlets in Sahakaranagar, Bengaluru and Yelankha and plan to open one store in Mysuru very soon. The audience were treated to a sample millet energy booster drink at a Kisok, which sold ‘Energizer Health Mix,’ which is prepared in Mysuru. The complete health drink which is known as ‘Malt’ is prepared using about nine sprouted grains with a blend of different types of millets. This drink is gluten free and is advisable for pregnant women and people suffering from diabetes and anaemia. Its ingredients consist of Ragi, Red wheat, Horse gram, Green gram, Bajra, Maize, Peas, Bengal gram, groundnut, flax seeds, millets, cloves, cardamom, etc. This energy drink powder costs about Rs. 360 per Kg.
