SHILLONG: The North East Slow Food and Agro-biodiversity Society (NESFAS) has been evolving steadily, sharpened its vision and reshaped its way forward as it prepares for its fourth edition of a slow food festival locally known as ‘Mei Ram ew’ which is scheduled to be held at Mawphlang on December 13 and 14.
This annual fest which draws a lot of attention from people from various section of the society especially the rural lots, has gained ground with every passing year as more and more communities have come forward to participate in this event not only to showcase their local cuisine but also to expose to the world the rich cultural diversity the state possesses.
As many as 28 communities will participate in the two day event out of which 2 each are from the 8 states of the North East and 12 communities are from the State.
Under the global theme, ‘Ark of Taste’ locally titled ‘Mei Ram ew 2013, A Taste of Mei Ram ew, a celebration of diversity’, this year’s Mei Ram ew will focus particularly on those local, tasty foods that are vanishing from our plates due to global market forces.
The Ark of Taste can be related to denotation of Noah’s Ark, who saved all the living creatures on earth. The Ark of Taste highlights and preserves those crops that Mother Earth has gifted us with and in fact, is the lifeline of human existence.
Keeping in line with the vibrant and enormously creative spirit of participating communities of the north east of India, on December 14, NESFAS will showcase a culmination of all its efforts by bringing its most active communities together.
While on December 13, workshops and demonstrations will be held which will include youth discussion, cook club, taste workshop on honey, slow and indigenous fish, culinary aspects of millet besides others, the communities will also participate in a laboratory called ‘feed the soil’ as well as a discussion on ‘food and faith’ besides documentations.
This event which started way back in 2010 was one of its kinds back then as it showcased the unique traditional cuisines of the tribals of Meghalaya while promoting slow food in the state considering the increasing trend of modern day food items which have a double-prone effect on the people-one being the health condition and the other is the gradual vanishing of the local food cuisines. This event was appreciated and adopted by many partners around the world.
Addressing media persons here on Thursday, Chairman of the NESFAS Phrang Roy said that the mission of the society is to connect indigenous communities through the pleasure and importance of local food. “This society acts as a breeding ground for novel ideas that have potential to direct a pathway from the ground up towards a more sustainable future,” Roy said adding that through, NESFAS, traditional knowledge and modern science are getting into dialogue through innovative, participatory activities and projects.
Stating that the state is blessed with abundant cultural diversity from landscape to bio-diversity, Roy however said “It is sad thing to note that this wealth is something we don’t highlight and underlined,” adding that they look forward to build an inclusive society.
Taking a cue from last year’s event, the society is looking forward to engage communities in fun activities that are knowledge generating, thus contributing to biodiversity conservation that places indigenous knowledge on an equal level as scientific know-how.
During this event, a Senior Chef of ITC Delhi will also be present as a guest of honour. The society will also be working hand in hand with Institute of Hotel Management besides other colleges of the city.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of NESFAS also launched the website of NESFAS (www.nesfas.org) and a facebook page.