Brinjal Festival Showcases Diversity of Veggie in India
The I AM NO LAB RAT campaign underway in Delhi–to create consumer awareness on the adverse effects of Genetically Modified (GM) Brinjals–organised a colourful and unique ‘BRINJAL’ FESTIVAL in Dilli Haat yesterday. The festival was aimed at catching the Delhiites attention on this humble vegetable’s diversity being jeopardised and its socio-cultural importance discounted in government policies.
The novel event had more than thirty different varieties of Brinjal from different states on display. The brinjals on display included Mattu gulla, Ram gulla, Lal begun, Billi-gundu badane, Gauri Bidanur, Sada desi gol begun, Jungly variety, Musuku Badane, Kanta begun, Md. Kuli, Sada Makra, Banamala, Garia etc.
The Indian diversity in brinjals is reflected in different colours of brinjals (not just the purple ones commonly seen but yellow, white and even red brinjals), in shape (long, round, bulbuous etc.), in size, in the plant quality (spiny, hardy, short etc.) etc. The flavour and taste of the different varities of brinjals is also different.
This rich diversity will be potentially jeopardized if Bt Brinjal is approved in the country as the first GM food crop. Most importantly for the Delhi belly, the festival also displayed a diversity of brinjal dishes from across the country.
Previously on Delhi Greens:
- Invite: (Saving the) Brinjal (As we know it) Festival in Dilli Haat
- Public Lecture: GM Foods and Our Health
yiting said,
July 23, 2009 at 10:30 am
yes,I was there last Sunday,wonderful place!Is brinjal a veggie or fruit?
We bought some stuff in the shop called Navdanya.Do you know if it will always be there?I am amazed at their farm and products.ALex and I told the boss that we are farmers back in the states and he gifted us 8 organic mangoes!haha~~
Govind Singh said,
July 23, 2009 at 11:18 am
Hi Yiting!
Brinjal is very much a veggie! An organic farmer from the states should know that!!!! :p Navdanya is going to be there for good, they do have nice stuff!!
Cya soon!!
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October 29, 2009 at 10:34 pm
[...] Brinjal Festival Showcases Diversity of Veggie in India [...]
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January 20, 2010 at 4:40 am
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