Indian Food Mela organised by Indian Women's Association, Mauritius

on Saturday 7 June 2014 at IGCIC Phoenix from 1030 hrs onwards

IWA and the Indian Food Mela

India and Mauritius share strong historic, cultural and friendly relations. The Indian Women's Association, which is more than 40 years old, has been working hard over the decades to strengthen this ever growing relationship.

Background on IWA and its Activities

Beginning from informal coffee mornings,today the IWA has emerged as an active organisation of more than 100 members. Traditionally, the wife of the Indian High Commissioner heads the organisations and plays a major role in bringing the Indian women together and to organize charitable activities. The IWA has a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and ten other committee members to conduct and coordinate its various events and activities.

Highlights of last year's activities include: personality grooming workshops, recipe demonstrations of Indian dishes, talks on prevention of common ailments, demonstration on silk painting and applique work,talks on wellness and women healthby experts and talented members.

The Indian Women's Association is dedicated to contribute its share in the development and care of the less privileged Mauritian citizens. It has taken up various charitable proposals and accomplished them within a short time span. They have made substantial donations to the Aprim School for Handicapped, Angel School of Welfare Association, Society for Welfare of the Deaf (Beau Bassin), Foyer Vivre Debut, Haemophilia Society, and the Missionaries of Charity to bring smiles on the faces of the disadvantaged sections of the society. IWA has also contributed to the education of the girl child, Prime Minister's Flood Relief Fund for the floods of 30 March 2013 and the Jaipur Foot Camp initiated by Global Rainbow Foundation.

Being a non-Profit Organization, a major way for the IWA to raise funds for charity is by organising a Food Mela, an annual Gala fair which attracts Mauritiansand non-Mauritians in large numbers from across the country.

The annual Indian Food Mela

The seeds of Food Mela were sownyears ago by IWA with their participation in an "Open Day" at the State House, Reduit.After the opening ofthe Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture (IGCIC) at Phoenix, IWA has now started organizing the Indian Food Melaon a much larger scale,which brings together delicious Indian cuisines and handicrafts under one roof at Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture. This year, the Food Melawill be held on Saturday, 7th June at IGCIC, Phoenix. MrsVeena Ramgoolam, wife of HE Dr. the Hon. Navinchandra Ramgoolam, Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius, has very graciously consented to inaugurate the event at 10.30 am.

Diversity is one of the first thought comes to our mind when we visualize about India.Every state in India is unique in its cultural traits, including the food habits. This rich diversity, particularly the myriad cuisineshas an appeal to any palate. The generous use of indigenous spices and condiments, which gives a rich flavour and aroma, is the common thread that runs through the most Indian food.

The IWA Food Mela, is a humble effort to bring a glimpse of gastronomic delights from across the Indian peninsula, offering Mauritians anopportunity to relishIndian cuisines - from delicious Indian street food like pani-puri, chaat, samosas, pakoras, vadapau, kachodi, cholebhature, dahibhalla, paobhaji, Sevpuri, bhelpuri and medhuvadaswith Indian masala tea to fabulous feast (Thalicomprising of many North Indian dishes).The staple dish in south Indian states and widely popular dosa stall will be one of the attractions of the Mela.For non vegetarians, the Mela offers a wide variety of non-vegetarian dishes like chicken curry, biryani, kebabs, chicken frankies etc. For the first time Indian Food Mela is going to present delicious Rajasthani cuisine dal batichurma and gattekisabji. Indian cuisine is known throughout the world as sweet cuisine as almost half of its dishes are either sweets or desserts. You can experience their sumptuous taste of jalebis, Rabris and barfisin our Food Mela.

Besides the culinary delights, the Mela will offer a wide range of Indian handicrafts, herbal products, fashion jewellery, textiles, cosmetics, plants, Bollywood music, and a number of games for children including pony ride - making this anideal day out for your beloveds. Exciting prizes will be on offer with the hourly lucky raffle draw. All the items at the Mela will be sold at reasonable and affordable prices. Entry to the Mela is free and it will be open all day.

IWA expresses its sincere gratitude to the sponsors of Indian Food Mela- 2014 Indian Oil (main presenter), MTML, State Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation, New India Assurance, Bank of Baroda, Fortes Darne Hospital, Standard Chartered Bank, Banyan Tree Bank Limited, Addecon, Island Life Assurance,and Lamco International InsuranceLimited for their generous financial contributionand IGCIC for providing space and logistical support in organising the Food Melaon a large scale this year.

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