Commemorating World Cancer Day With Namo Gange...

The society and the Indian nation at large is rapidly falling victim to one of the most fatal diseases  known to mankind - ‘Cancer’.

In a bid to raise awareness among people about the dangerous disease, Namo Gange Trust organised ‘3rd Arogya Film Festival 2019’ on February 4, 2019 at Marwah Studio, Film City, Noida.

It is a joint initiative of Namo Gange Trust and International Chamber of Media and Entertainment Industry (ICMEI). The initiative is supported by
Ministry of AYUSH and Marwah Studios.

February 4 is celebrated as the World Cancer Day internationally each year to raise awareness of cancer
and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. As per World Health Organisation (WHO), because of globalization, modernization and stress, cancer is on rise.

The third edition of Arogya Film Festival is specifically dedicated to Cancer as United Nations has declared 4th February as International Cancer Day.

Research evidence reveals that cancer is responsible for almost one out of six deaths globally. More than 14 million people develop cancer every year, and it is also projected to rise to at least 21 million by 2030.

This is a very threatening as well as crucial matter of thought for all of us. With Namo Gange's belief that there film is powerful enough to communicate stories, stimulate emotions, motivate action, and to reduce the inconsistencies in health sector, the primary purpose of this festival is to spread awareness about cancer treatment through AYUSH via the medium of film and media as a catalyst.

On the occasion, the lamp lighting was done by Acharya Jagdish Maharaj (Founder, Namo Gange Trust),
Ramanand Meena (Deputy Secretary, Ministry of AYUSH), Mrs. Nidhi Agarwal (Founder, Bliss
Foundation), Swami Sehajanand (Founder Chairman of Mahamrityunjaya International Yoga & Astrology Centre), Dr. Sandeep Marwah (Founder of Noida Film City), Suresh Chavhanke (Chairman,
Managing Director of Sudarshan News), and Colonel T P Tyagi (Recipient of National Gallantry Award Vir Chakra).

The movies that were screened and made it to the Top 5 are:

• Caged (Director and Scriptwriter: Abhas  Kumar),
• Cancer: An Ill Effect of Alcohol and Tobacco (Director: Shabir Anees and Scriptwriter: Mubashir Ali Zaidi),
• A Ray of Hope (Director: Raj Dutta and Scriptwriter: Munira Dhamani),
• Zehar (Director: Abhishek Singh and Scriptwriter: Usha Singh),
• Life in Smoke (Director and Scriptwriter: Gianluca Fratellini).

Acharya Mukesh Kumar, National President, Namo Gange Trust commented on the occasion,

“Prevention is sure Cure for Cancer. An ounce of Prevention is quart of a Cure, therefore AYUSH system has possibilities through amazing lifestyle therapies, panchkarma detoxification, disciplined lifestyle and good food habits with regular yoga activities and better understanding towards the disease to protect us from the environmental Carcinogens.”

Sandeep Marwah, Founder, Noida Film City in his address extended thanks to Namo Gange Trust for organizing the Film Festival that entirely focused on how social preventive system, alternative system of medicine, and complementary medicine could be a better attempt to fight Cancer at Marwah Studios.

“The latest statistic says that after 20 years, 10 per cent of the Indian population will be suffering from this dangerous disease. The major reason of this disease is polluted air, polluted water and polluted Earth. It is high time we get conscious about the disease, which is going to kill our bodies. Let’s become more aware.

This is a small contribution to Cancer Awareness by Marwah Studios”, he added.

Witnessing participation from more than 100 countries in its third edition, the first edition of the film
festival focused on ‘Stress’ and second on ‘Diabetes’. As many as 37 countries participated in first International Arogya Film Festival while 98 countries participated in the second edition.

On the whole, Namo Gange aspires to create awareness towards some pertinent issues that plague our society each year and this edition of the Arogya Film Festival was also successful in doing so. :) 

Functional Fitness With Multifit India...

At first, they'll ask you why you're doing it, 

Later they'll ask you how you did it. 

That's how it goes for life at large, but it fits like a glove as far as pushing oneself towards fitness is concerned. 

There'll be a hoard of pessimistic onlookers and a handful of optimistic cheers (one of them has to be you, yourself) but as far as pledging for a fitter self is concerned, one has to emulate the deaf frog for a clearer perspective. 

Self-confidence and self-belief are the keys as far as sustaining oneself on the road seldom taken is concerned. After all, everyone wishes to look fitter and feel fitter in today's day and age. 

Not just should this stand true for the public eye but also for the betterment of our past self, physically as well as psychologically. 

However, gymming and supplements are a thing of the past as the masses continue to realize that spot reduction is a myth and drugs provide an instant high but do more harm than good in the long run. 

Knowing the fact that a full body workout is essential to the well-being, and one cannot just be biased towards one physical region, it is vital to turn to functional fitness exercises designed so as to develop and train bodily muscles so that it is convenient to complete everyday tasks with ease. 

Functional fitness exercises engage a number of muscles at the same instant - be it the lower body or upper body ones - while simulating common movements - to engage the physique and improve balance, core, strength, and stability. 

One such functional fitness studio that has been establishing itself at various cities in India since the past three years is Multifit. 

With an aim to balance the body-mind-soul trinity, through a thoughtfully devised model for functional fitness aptly named iFIT. 

Designed to integrate science and fitness training in a manner that makes a workout more enjoyable and effective, iFIT includes High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), Yoga, Endurance and other forms of fitness training to holistically cater to your mind and body’s varied fitness need. 

In fact, a HIIT routine enhances metabolism that enables the body to burn fat even after a single routine is completed. On the other hand, iFIT workouts generally utilize only body weight, resulting in 'optimal muscle building and muscle retention coupled with fat loss and increased calorie burn'. 

I recently had a chance to Multifit Studio, Sohna Road and could witness in person, the positive impact that functional training has on the body. In fact, the clientele here, in particular, spans across 14-80, with the eldest patron being an enthusiastic senior citizen. 

With a belief that fitness should extend beyond dumbbells and machines, the schedule devised by Multifit is such that it integrates science and fitness training to facilitate its clients in attaining the perfect Mind-Body-Soul balance and aims to make fitness a lifestyle choice for every individual they engage with. 

The conventional gym imagery is challenged to the extent that by abandoning traditional equipment and narrow goals and instead using simple setups to improve one's performance at everyday activities, patrons are able to embrace fitter versions of themselves. 

Equipped with state-of-the-art machinery pertaining to strength, endurance training, calisthenics, martial arts etc. and driven by their highly qualified, experienced and certified trainers, instructors, and even state and national level medalists for centers across Pune, Jaipur, Mumbai, and Gurugram, it comes as no surprise that Multifit, as a functional fitness studio, is at the top of its game. 

With a strategized plan aimed to facilitate each patron to achieve their goals, Multifit puts forward the notion that impossible is an illusion. 

While each equipment at the studio has clear-cut instructions illustrated on it to facilitate correct usage, there are also personal trainers for patrons to seek and implement a proper technique that can make the functional fitness regime a success. 

Apart from the functional fitness regime, there are also programmes concerning mixed martial arts, kick-boxing and dance-based routines that are held to engage patrons in something unique on a regular basis. 

With a strict schedule being followed by trainers for daily classes and 'Work Out Of The Day', patrons are sure to leave Multifit with a smile saying #IAmMultifit once the functional fitness training regime is completed. 

In fact, just as the stairway leading to Multifit sports an 'x steps closer to your dreams', there is also a bell hung at the exit for patrons to ring if they feel that they have 'killed' their workout. 

On the whole, it was a positive experience visiting and witnessing the action at Multifit Fitness Studio, Sohna Road. 

Chilean Kiwi On Indian Horizon...

The Chilean fruit industry backed by the collaboration between the Embassy of Chile and the nation’s commercial trade office - ProChile, recently announced plans to support the growth of Chilean Kiwifruit exports to the Indian fresh fruit market.

Chile has formally launched their first strategic promotional effort to increase trade and consumer awareness about the excellent quality of Chilean Kiwifruit and tap into the market opportunities created by the rapid growth of kiwi consumption in India.

In order to capture the Indian market, the Chilean Fruit Exporters Association (ASOEX), the Chilean Kiwifruit Committee backed by the important support and financing of the Ministry of Agriculture of Chile, through the Fund for the Promotion of Agroforestry Exports, administered by ProChile will structure a comprehensive promotional campaign in India for this season.

The campaign is also being supported by three leading fresh kiwi produce importing companies from India - Aayush Impex, IG International, and NGK Trading and retail partner in India - BigBasket.

Chile is a country in the Latin American region occupying a long, narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west and is the third largest exporter of kiwifruit and avocados to countries across the world.

According to the World’s Top Exports report this year, India imported 59% more kiwifruit from Chile than in the previous season, thereby giving Chile a 50% advantage in tariffs compared to other countries that export this fruit to India. The Indian Government accorded this achievement to Chilean kiwifruit last year under a bilateral agreement.

While there are a number of varieties of Kiwifruit globally, Chile exports the Hayward or green variety on a primary basis. There is a fundamental difference in the balance between sweetness and acidity among the numerous varieties.

Carolina Vasquez, Commercial Director of ProChile in India, stated thus

“The Indian market holds great importance for Chilean kiwifruit due to the rising demand in the country. Through this campaign, our aim will be to promote our kiwifruit and also raise awareness about Chile as a unique supplier of an array of food products such as berries, nut, and seafood as well as creating a greater understanding of the benefits of the preferential trade agreement signed between Chile and India”.

On the occasion, Charif Christian Carvajal, the Marketing Director for Asia of the CHILEAN FRUIT EXPORTERS ASSOCIATION (ASOEX) said,

“This is the first time that the Chilean fruit industry will undertake multiple promotional campaigns targeting the India market. This campaign includes the participation and financing of producers and exporters of Chilean kiwifruit that export to this market, the support of the Chilean Government through ProChile and the Ministry of Agriculture, and, for the first time, the promotional efforts will include economic contributions from the major importers and distributors of kiwifruit in the Indian market. Thus, we can affirm that this is an effort from all the actors of the supply chain and which demonstrates the commitment that our industry has to the Indian market.”

According to Charif, Chile aims to tap the three stages of sales: Import, Distribution, and Retail. Within the retail sector, online as well as offline channels, cash and carry models like WalMart, and small-scale vendors are being approached for tie-ups.

Over the years, India has emerged as one of the fastest growing markets for Kiwifruit, primarily attributed to the Indian fruit market’s demand for exotic fruits that has seen an upward trend because of a prospering urban class, an enhanced exposure to the cultures of different countries, and a rising demography of health-conscious people.

To implement the promotion campaign the industry has partnered with SS Associates, a Gurgaon based food marketing consultancy firm. Sumit Saran, the Director of SS Associates, said,

“Our company is proud to have this opportunity to launch the promotional campaign of the Chilean kiwifruit in India. We believe that we will reach the most demanding consumers with specific promotions, through actions in the retail market and various media. We will have a positive impact in increasing the penetration and knowledge of Chile's kiwi exports.”

With the event also graced by Master Chef and Padma Shree Sanjeev Kapoor and Celebrity Nutritionist Kavita Devgan, there was bound to be a discussion centered around how effectively kiwifruit can be a part of our daily diet.

Chef Sanjeev Kapoor also demonstrated the culinary usage of kiwifruit by conducting a short master class that emphasized the Chile-India relation.

On the other hand, nutritionist Kavita Devgan emphasized the extraordinary benefits of kiwifruit including the fact that Kiwi is a natural laxative packed with folate and anti-oxidants while highlighting its role in building immunity against some of the major illnesses prevalent in today's day and age.


With the launch and promotion of Chile Kiwifruit in India, Chile is hopeful that this step will represent an important contribution towards strengthening the country’s image amongst importers, distributors, retailers and end consumers in India and globally too. :)

Farm-To-Table With KinnowKart!

It is said that one should their keep friends close and enemies closer. I would like to rephrase it to 'Keep Your Friends Close, and Farmers Closer', because this is the era where health is of utmost importance and our intake in terms of food, is to viewed critically.

With adulteration being at the helm for any and every kind of fruits, veggies, staples, and even processed food, one must be concerned as well as informed as to what is going into our bodies, owing to the fact that what the hand accepts as food for nourishment could turn out to be toxic in the long run.

It is imperative to embrace the organic route for our diet as above all, it is the natural soil that is capable of providing any food cultivation the nutrients it requires for maturation so that it could benefit and not harm our systems.

Keeping the above concept in mind, India’s first e-commerce portal dedicated to the organically grown citrus fruit Kinnow has been launched by Alba Info Solutions LLP.

Kinnowkart.com ensures delivery of best quality non-preserved Kinnow at one's doorstep thus, adhering to the farm-to-table ideology, of providing completely fresh, preservative-free fruit, to the health-conscious masses.

Kinnowkart.com is Alba Solutions' third offering looking towards benefitting society. The other two being Shiksha Sudhar (an Edu-socio initiative) and HorsesofIndia (A dedication to equestrian pursuits). 

Also known as Punjab’s 'King Fruit', Kinnow is highly regarded for its health benefits. Kinnow harvesting begins when it sports an orange hue on the outside, typically from December to February. The best harvesting time is mid-January to mid-February when the fruit attains a TSS/acid ratio of 12:1 to 14:1.

Mr. Deepak Khanna, Director Alba Info Solutions LLP had this to say about KinnowKart.

“We provide 100% organic Kinnows straight from our farms in Abohar to your table within 36 hours. We have also tied with leading schools for placement of Kinnowkart counters, vending freshly squeezed Kinnow juice. The fruit can be stored in cold storage at a temperature of 4-5 °C and a relative humidity of 85-90%.”

Mr. Kunal Chahar, Director Alba Info Solutions LLP further added - “Kinnows have multiple health benefits. It is one of those fruits that aids digestion, works as a body energizer, and helps in kick-starting the metabolism and keeping one healthy for a long time”.

The fruit 'Kinnow' is a high yield mandarin hybrid cultivated extensively in the wider Punjab region of India. It is a hybrid of two citrus cultivars: 'King' (Citrus nobilis) × 'Willow Leaf' (Citrus deliciosa) - first developed by Howard B. Frost, at the University of California Citrus Experiment Station. After evaluation, 'Kinnow' was released as a new citrus hybrid for commercial cultivation in 1935.

In the hot climate, plants can grow up to 35 feet high. Kinnow trees are highly productive; it is not uncommon to find 1000 fruits per tree. The fruit matures in January-February. It peels easily and has a high juice content.

Kinnowkart.com has tied up with TGH Lifestyle Services Pvt. Ltd for distribution to corporate Speaking at the occasion Ms. Ritu Grover, CEO TGH said,

“We have been working for various corporate for so many years. This is one fruit which though seasonal has multiple benefits and that is why we decided to tie up for promotion and for spreading the good word.”

On the whole, it is a good initiative on Alba Info Solutions' part, and I hope that it is received nicely by the masses too. 

Re-hydrate, Replenish, Recharge As Coca-Cola's Motto!

Coca-Cola is one of India's leading beverage companies that has just recently tapped into new avenues of Enhanced Hydration and Nutritious Dilutables by introducing Aquarius GLUCOCHARGE and Minute Maid Vitingo into the beverage industry in line with their endeavor to provide a spectrum of consumer-centric beverage choices along with functional benefits made available across various segments of consumers. 

Aquarius GLUCOCHARGE, as the name suggests, is packed with Glucose, essential Minerals (Potassium, Sodium, Calcium) and fruit juice. It has been developed exclusively for Indian consumers who toil in the heat which in turn creates a need for instant rehydration to overcome bodily exhaustion.  This non-carbonated, low sugar beverage with fruit juice is priced at a nifty value of INR 10 for a 200ml serving. 

On the other hand, Minute Maid Vitingo has a special formulation focused on addressing micronutrient deficiency and malnutrition in India. Fortified with Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Zinc, Folic Acid, Vitamin B2 and Vitamin B12, it is available in single serving sachets of 18gm priced at INR 5. Regular consumption of Vitingo has been clinically tested to significantly reduce Iron deficiency, Anaemia and Vitamin C deficiency among children. 

Citing their winning formula as based on the four pillars of being low-calorie and affordable, while providing great taste brought to the table in safe packaging, Mr. Ishteyaque Amjad, Vice President, Public Affairs and Communication, Coca-Cola India and South West Asia was delighted to launch both the products. 

Speaking at the launch, Mr. T. Krishnakumar, President, Coca-Cola India, and South West Asia, said  

“In time for the peak summer, the launch of Aquarius GLUCOCHARGE and Minute Maid Vitingo marks our entry into the space of Re-hydrate, Replenish and Recharge. These enhanced and nutritious beverage options have been developed specifically for the Indian consumers to suit their needs of enhanced and nutritious hydration. 

The company is embarking on a program of incubation to develop a strong portfolio of choices for the Indian consumer. This would help the Coca-Cola system to build itself a consumer-centric portfolio for the future. To build a higher brand recall and awareness for the beverage, the company will conduct extensive sampling across the country. 

We have been actively focusing on our strategy to offer consumers a wide variety of choices as per their preferences and going ahead, incubating new products and scaling it up through our system would be key to our success.  

While Minute Maid Vitingo aims to be a part of the solution to malnutrition that the country is solving for, we are equally committed to making Aquarius GLUCOCHARGE a mass distributed brand in next eight months. Our reshaped portfolio will further accelerate the growth momentum and help us deliver enhanced business results.” 

The strategic extension of the portfolio is in-line with Coca-Cola’s journey towards being a Total Beverage Company, which is centered on building an increasingly diverse consumer-centric portfolio of brands attuned to unique consumer preferences. The launch of new products also adds another milestone to the company’s focus on ‘fruit circular economy' enabling farmers to increase their yield, source pulp and launch fruit-based products.

Embracing Wellness By Being #ApneTareekeSeHealthy...

 ~~~ 

 ~~~

"Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity."

Going by this interpretation of 'Health' by World Health Organization, being healthy or even striving to achieve wellness seems to be a herculean task. For it is an arduous task to strike a balance between the three facets of the holy trinity of health - physical, mental, and social.

More often than not, it takes a truckload of willpower to proceed (and persist) on 'the road less traveled by' as Frost may have put it. Neglect (knowingly or unknowingly) towards one or more of the above facets while aspiring to achieve well-being also plays its part in making the road seem rocky. 

~~~ 

What is needed is a little push for our lethargic and inattentive selves to pay heed to our hearts, minds, and brains hopelessly churning themselves from night to day and further again, immersed in our 'busy schedules' just like hamsters on wheels. 

However, going by the conventional school of thought, there exist not three but six facets to health and well-being. Those six facets or components of health would be:

PHYSICAL HEALTH concerns and is affected by aspects such as the intake of a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, presence or absence of illness, genetics etc. for a person.

PSYCHOLOGICAL HEALTH or MENTAL HEALTH concerns multiple factors associated with the proper functioning of the brain namely the ability to learn, memorize, rely on intuition, analytical thinking, communication, logical reasoning, concentration, and such.

EMOTIONAL HEALTH, as the name suggests, concerns emotions and their appropriate expression in suitable situations.

SOCIAL HEALTH concerns the fact that man is a social animal and cannot have a black box existence. A person's reactions to situations are borne keeping in mind their interactions with their immediate social circle, be it family, friends, colleagues, or even social media in today's times. 

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH encompasses all environmental factors that can possibly affect human health, and thus impact wellness. 

SPIRITUAL HEALTH according to WHO, is given perspective in the following definition presented by the health assembly. 

"The spiritual dimension is understood to imply a phenomenon that is not material in nature but belongs to the realm of ideas, beliefs, values, and ethics that have arisen in the minds and conscience of human beings, particularly ennobling ideas. 

Ennobling ideas have given rise to health ideals, which have led to a practical strategy for Health for All that aims at attaining a goal that has both a material and non-material component. 

If the material component of the strategy can be provided to people, the non-material or spiritual one is something that has to arise within people and communities in keeping with their social and cultural patterns. 

The spiritual dimension plays a great role in motivating people’s achievement in all aspects of life." 

 ~~~ 

Taking into consideration these six facets, I have devised a six-point strategy on to stay #ApneTareekeSeHealthy...

For the upkeep of Physical Health, a three-point-agenda of Eating Right, Exercise, and Positive Lifestyle is to be adhered to, religiously.

It is of utmost importance to have a well-balanced diet comprising a fair share of vitamins, fats, carbohydrates, minerals, nutrients, etc. Being hydrated throughout the day also plays its part, as does maintaining a regular sleep cycle which in turn syncs our body clock.

The inclusion of a minimum fifteen-minute brisk walk at the neighborhood park in my daily routine is what keeps me going. Early morning Yoga comprising of simple breathing exercises and stretching before I leave for work is what keeps my energy levels up through a hectic day.

In addition to the above, being a teetotaler and abstinence from alcohol and smoking works in my favor, big time! :)

As far as #ProtectHerHeart and my PROTECT Checklist is concerned, I have my Saffola Total by my side to keep me 'Dil Se Healthy' as it gradually works on the eight bio-markers of heart health for my family and me.

As far as Psychological Health is concerned, my daily newspaper comes to the rescue, as there are numerous puzzles - Crossword, Soduko, Kakuro, Word Wheel - to jog my brain's muscles. A half-an-hour session at the maximum, alongside my morning cuppa, is what is required to keep my cognitive abilities intact. As for my creative insights, I always have my blog to fall back on, thinking out of the box for numerous writing prompts as I have always done in the past.

In order to keep my emotions in check and to counter stress which has the potential to adversely affect my Emotional Health, meditation and an effort to maintain a positive attitude, seeing light at the end of the tunnel in day-to-day situations that might lead me off-track work wonders.

Social Health, in today's times, might be one of the easiest (or hardest) to maintain well, given the all-pervasive World Wide Web. I, for one, have a limited virtual friend circle, prefer to maintain cordial relations with colleagues, and be available for as much 'Family Time' as possible.

Environmental Health is what I believe, is the trickiest to sustain appropriately, not only in the perception of a personal domain but also on the global level as well. However, simple, humble, but significant steps, like putting the 3Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - into practice, striving for the upkeep of an in-house garden, opting for paper or jute bags whenever wherever possible, segregation of household waste, commuting by the all-pervasive Delhi Metro network or carpooling in all workable scenarios, and opting for energy-efficient appliances, have all helped me reduce my Carbon Footprint one step at a time, over the years.

As far as Spiritual Health is concerned, I have not had to take conscious measures to reflect on its upkeep because that is a domain which reflects on ideas, beliefs, values, and ethics. Praying, both before I rest for the day, and as I begin a new one, meditation, and appreciation for the harmonious coexistence of all life-forms, and a feeling of gratefulness throughout is what makes me connect to God Almighty on a spiritual level.

 ~~~ 

It is through this six-point strategy focusing on straightforward measures reflecting on each facet of health, that I strive to strike a balance in the continuum of life and embrace wellness by being #ApneTareekeSeHealthy. :) 

I am joining Saffola #ApneTareekeSeHealthy initiative and sharing my ways of being healthy in association with BlogAdda.

When I Say Organic...

I Say Organic is a homegrown brand for organic perishable and non-perishable goods which entered Gurgaon with the launch of their first store at South Point Mall, Golf Course Road in Gurgaon. Founded in 2011, the brand delivers fresh food directly from the farmers to their customers across Delhi/ NCR. With the aim to bridge the gap between farmers who want to grow organic and people who want to eat organic produce, I Say Organic promotes a lifestyle that is holistic, fulfilling and practical.

I Say Organic believes giving people the option of eating safe, pesticide free food and recognises and supports the farmers who grow this food. The brand caters to households run by educated couples and individuals, joint families, couples with young children, pregnant women and people with lifestyle diseases. Located in South Point Mall with an area of 123 sq. ft. the store offers an array of organic goods inclusive of fruits, vegetables, grains, millets, flours, lentils, spices, rice, oils, ghee, dry fruits, sweeteners, tea, coffee and bread. The team of farmers the brand has partnered with first delivers the produce every morning, this produce is further manually sorted and cleaned by skilled labour and then delivered to the customers on the same day the order is placed making it convenient and consumer friendly.

At the launch, a DIY activity was conducted which was all about making a personalised bottle of 'Beetroot Kanji'- a seasonal beverage great for the gut and the digestive system. I Say Organic's only store in Gurgaon is a must visit for all your daily needs -fresh and non-perishable.

Ashmeet Kapoor, Founder and CEO of the company feels that NCR is evolving each day and with the upcoming modern lifestyle, it is important to make a healthier environment. Further adding he says:

“We are thrilled to launch our store in South Point Mall and make Gurgaon a healthier place. Gurgaon has shown rapid development in the last few years and we see immense potential in the area. In a youthful country like India, it is essential to educate everyone about the benefits of investing in organic produce to build a healthier country. At I Say Organic, we believe in giving our customers access to organic, authentic and healthy food at all times. We plan to introduce many more products under the categories of condiments, spreads, breakfast cereals, snacks and dairy products.”

When it comes to organic produce and its delivery, it’s very essential to procure these products from genuine and reliable sources. The brand sources their vast collection of products from different sources without losing their nutrient values. While seasonal leafy and root vegetables are sourced within 300 KM radius, the authentic and off-season goods are sourced from the hills of Himachal Pradesh. Whereas fruits and non-perishables are sourced from the cities of Maharashtra, Kerala, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana & Punjab, which are known for their superior quality. The organic fruits and vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants from their roots to the tip to eradicate other manufactured supplements. In a span of just 5 years, the brand has managed to establish a network of over 100 farmers providing 200 products – the largest and most authentic portfolio in the organic category.

A major component of organic farming is the use of sustainable farming practices and the brand ensures this by stringent farmer selection and ethical practices. By offering products in multiple categories, I Say Organic envisions to be the most trusted and largest Indian brand for organic produce.  The brand directly links the farmers to their customers making organic produce affordable to everyone.

Superfoods At India International Trade Fair

The Trade Fair at Pragati Maidan is one of the crowd-puller events in Delhi each year. This year, however, my visit to India International Trade Fair 2016 came about as a consequence of the 'Launch of Superfoods by CFTRI at Trade Fair of India'.

A number of prominent personalities from CLRI were present. The showcasing of a range of Superfoods came along with many important tidbits of information as takeaways. CFTRI is a pioneer institution in India incorporating new technologies in food and nutrition. The organisation has developed some wonderful and innovative products having high nutritional value. These products were on display at CFTRI stall at Pragati Maidan. Some of these breakthrough products are:

• Chia and Quinoa based Chocolates and Laddoos 
• Omega-3 enriched ice-cream
• Multigrain banana bar
• Fruit juice-based carbonated drinks

Under the umbrella of CSIR, its premier national institute for food technology, Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) exhibited a range of new agri-products. In fact, these products are  now grown in India. These products are called 'Superfoods' because of their nutritional power.

These Superfoods present a way to incorporate the  best practices in health and nutrition to everyday eating and living to the common man.  The launch came with a bundle of insightful surprises that were highly impressive in terms of knowledge imparted about them. Rather these products have a wide range and scope of their utility and potency.

As a matter of fact, the whole nation is going through a transition in the field of nutrition. Because of rapidly changing lifestyles, there is a tremendous increase in health issues like diabetes, impaired heart health and obesity. In fact,  there is still rampant malnutrition in the nation. Due to these issues prevailing at large CSIR-CFTRI decided to introduce an effective solution needed to address these concerns and thus bring 'Superfoods' to the Indian audience.

Superfoods have been introduced after thorough research on various facets of food technology, food processing, advanced nutrition, superfoods and allied sciences. Superfoods are foods which have significant and superior nutrition values. Upon regular consumption, they improve health and wellness of the consumer.

CFTRI has successfully researched and thus developed agro-technology for growing Superfoods viz. Chia and Quinoa in Indian conditions. Chia is known to be the richest source of omega-3 fats from a vegetarian source. Similarly, Quinoa contains excellent protein quality and low glycemic load carbohydrates. As a result of this, Chia and Quinoa have a great capability to improve population health.

Prof. Ram Rajasekharan, Director, CFTRI said:

“Our mandate is to find innovative solutions to India agricultural and nutritional challenges. Our aim is to develop products to make Indian agriculture productive, efficient and at a consumer level gradually replace drugs with foods that will promote better health and wellness. We strive to deliver our best in improving food security and nutrition security, also developing a stronger, smarter and healthier India”.

The launch was a hit with consumers being drawn in large numbers to witness the innovative products displayed. Here's hoping that they make their way to the market soon! :)