Som Kamei, Director of NEZCC, Ayushman Dutta, Editor of the book, Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Governor of Nagaland & Chairman NEZCC, A.C Bhagabati, National Tagore Fellow, and first lady of the State during the official launch of “Food Trail-Discovering food culture of Northeast India” today at NEZCC complex, Dimapur. (Photo by Caisii Mao)
Dimapur, April 27 (MExN): A book on the cuisines of North East India titled, “Food Trail-Discovering food culture of Northeast India”, was released here today at the North East Zone Cultural Centre (NEZCC) conference hall, Dimapur.
Dr. Ashwani Kumar, Governor of Nagaland & Chairman NEZCC today said that it was a unique opportunity for him to be in Nagaland. Speaking at the release function, Dr. Ashwani congratulated the NEZCC team, editor and contributors of the book and expressed that he was happy at the opportunity given to release the book. He highlighted the trail of food as a relationship connected to a loved one, siblings, family and friends. He also said that food and culture has always had a deep connection.
The Governor underscored the need for food security, clean water and sanitation for the people. He stated that 800 million people in the world do not even get to eat two square meals a day. “At this time, we should not forget our duty for such people. A large population of the people in the country is malnourished, mostly children and women,” he said. “Nobody should sleep hungry,” he said, adding that it is a human right to have food, and whatever problems we may have, it is essential to ensure clean water, and good quality of food to all. He also expressed hope in the National Food Security Bill.
He further acknowledged the problem of water in Nagaland and said that the issue should be given importance and tackled. Apart from these problems, he said “Nagaland has a wonderful culture, vibrant music, festivals and delicious food. I urge everyone to read the book, cook the food and adopt the recipes.”
Som Kamei, Director of NEZCC, also shared that food is an important part of everyone’s culture; it reflects who we are and where we come from. He also said that cuisine is what sets a culture apart and a common indication of what belongs to a community. He also pointed out the significance of food and how it is shared among people, village, or community in the North East. He also said that such culinary endeavors must be taken up more to promote people who are linked with the hospitality industry, restaurants etc.
A.C Bhagabati, National Tagore Fellow presented an overview on food culture of North East India. He commented that the book was a very systematic collection of food insights and termed it ‘unusual’. “There is much more to food than satiating hunger,” he said, adding that there is a distinct way of worshipping food in every culture, which makes food ‘divine’.
Lauding the effort of NEZCC, he commented that in the context of North East India, food as a serious subject has never been taken up by anthropologists. He however cited examples of poet Mamang Dai author of ‘Mountain Harvest’, a book on food of Arunachal Pradesh, and “From the Assamese Kitchen” by Jyoti Das as notable works.
Also present at the book release function were eminent writers, culinary experts, Dr. Temsula, Padmashree awardee Sentila Yanger, and Ex MinisterChubatemjen, all of whom highlighted the need for developing and understanding culture through food.
The book, a compilation of eleven essays, has been commissioned by the NEZCC, and edited by Ayushman Dutta with contributions from several eminent North East writers and others.
