Mysuru, the country’s cleanest city as per the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, has become the first to launch a Swachh Street Food initiative, a collaborative effort between the government, industries and an academic institution to offer a platform for clean, safe, nutritious and affordable street food.
On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti and the first anniversary of Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, the programme was launched on Friday at two locations here. Two Swachh Food zones would come up there in a month. The clean street food model had been planned with the help of public health specialist and scholar Indira Chakravarthy, who developed the renowned Calcutta Model on Street Foods which received Eduardo Sauma award from the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations.
Prof. Chakravarthy, who was present at the launch, said, “I think this is the most innovative initiative to create Swachh street foods. Another key factor is that it has the backing of the industry and an academic institution. This is a significant high point for Mysuru.”
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She said poor people should get cheapest nutritious and safe food. Street food played an important role in the food industry. If the stakeholders ensure cleanliness, hygiene and dirt-free surroundings, it would be a vital option for everybody, as they could cater to a large population.
“Being India’s cleanest city, Mysuru has taken the lead, engaging all pertinent stakeholders for active participation and support. The effort had been linked with industry (Schevaran Labs). This is a positive step,” she said. Prof. Chakravarthy said the model of safe street food could be expanded to other locations in the city later.
Mysuru City Corporation commissioner C.G. Betsurmath described the joint venture project as pioneering as all stakeholders had joined hands for creating a new model of safe street food. This would not only benefit those living within the city but also tourists.
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He said JSS University led by its Vice-chancellor B. Suresh and the Foundation for Community Support and Development had also supported the initiative.
Sam Cherian, managing director, Schevaran Laboratories Private Limited, Mysuru, was also present.
The ground-breaking for the two food zones was performed by M.K. Somashekar, MLA, at Ballal Circle and Tanveer Sait, MLA, near Bannimantap on Bengaluru-Mysuru National Highway.