Kozhikode is known for its brines. Over the ages, people here have proven that anything can be put in brine and used later. But even they wouldn’t have thought in their wildest dreams that an ‘Eerkili’ or the tender ribs of coconut leaves or bamboo, could be put in brine or pickled.
The exhibition-cum-sale of Kudumbasree products, organised at Swapnanagari here as part of the 15 anniversary of Kudumbasree, is where these weird products are put on sale. And they are highly in demand. The fried and ground coconut in a sealed pack for sambar and chicken curry separately is a unique business venture by a Kozhikode-based unit.
The Kudumbasree Café – Food Festival, organised as part of the celebrations, mainly showcase traditional food products from all over the State. The variety of products made from jack fruit will titillate any foodie. There is jack fruit payasam, vada, cutlet, kumbilappam, biriyani and jack fruit seed payasam. Other notable food products include palm powder puttu, payasam, mussel dishes, Macroni biriyani, Ramasseri Idli, Gooseberry juice, pidi, kumarakam special dishes and so on.
The Food Festival and the exhibition were inaugurated by Minister for Social Welfare M.K. Muneer on Saturday. In his address, he said the Kudumbasree Cafes would be opened all over the State in rest houses and other public offices. The Kudumbasree products would follow strict standard procedures and could capture even foreign markets if properly branded and marketed. District Cooperative Bank President Manayath Chandran said the cooperative banks were ready to offer loans to the Kudumbasree units in the district at lowest interest rates.
On Sunday, Minister for Welfare of Backward Communities P.K. Jayalakshmi inaugurated the Kudumbasree Kalotsavam. A three-day workshop for Community Development Society chairpersons will be held at Meenchanda Government Higher Secondary School from May 17 as part of the celebrations. A district-level tug-of- war contest will be held on May 14. Mamukoya, actor, will inaugurate the district-level drama festival on May 15 while Dr. Muneer will inaugurate the State-level festival on May 18.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will inaugurate the valedictory function on May 19. A sum of Rs.1 crore, which has been mobilised by Kudumbasree volunteers for Snehasparsham project, will be handed over to district panchayat president Kanathil Jameela on the occasion. More than 15,000 volunteers will take part in concluding programme.
