SHILLONG, Feb 23: A book based on the indigenous foods of Jaintia Hills was released on Wednesday in a workshop held at Dulong Hall in Jowai. The book titled ‘Ka Bam Tynre’ is a compilation of winning food recipes prepared by local cooks in competitions organised by Society of Urban & Rural Empowerment (SURE), Jowai, in different villages of West Jaintia Hills.
The book release was a part of the workshop on community-led Agroecology Learning Circles (ALCs) programme held jointly by SURE and North East Slow Food Agrobiodiversity Society (NESFAS), Shillong.
West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, LSN Dykes, released the book in the presence of Editor of The Shillong Times, Padma Shri Patricia Mukhim, and Executive Director, NESFAS, Pius Rani.
Speaking at the event, the DC said, “Food is a major part of our culture, so the recipes are not only a documentation of the indigenous foods but it also celebrates the rich culture of the people.”
At a time when we can get recipes of food at the click of a mouse, it is indeed heartening that we now have a recipe book of food from our culture, he further added.
Highlighting the poor position of the state in NITI Aayog’s nutritional index report, Patricia Mukhim expressed her concern over the fact that a large percentage of the female population in the state in the age group of 19 to 45 suffers from anaemia. She further encouraged the state’s farmers to continue with their initiatives.
Pius Ranee, in his speech, talks about the nutritional values of local food and the benefits of consuming the right food groups. He also addressed the ALC members and explained that ALC is a multi-faceted model for community engagement and innovation that helps to reveal knowledge, co-create and test new solutions, document and disseminate them.