Sasian Journey’s Lotus Bazaar and Sanjha Chulha

Sasian Journey’s Lotus Bazaar and Sanjha Chulha was held at The Ashok hotel, Delhi. Asian Heritage Foundation’s Jiyo hosted Lotus Bazaar South Asia’s first food exhibition named Sanjha Chulha, curated by Dr. Pushpesh Pant to promote the incredible variety of local and regional cuisines of South Asia showcasing the diversity of culinary along with some of India’s and South Asia’s best design led interventions by leading NGO’s, craft practitioners, designers and artists. Bazaar offered space for direct retail to those selected from all nine South Asian Countries attempting to connect them to the global market.

Walkway

South Asaian or Sasian Journey gained momentum with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s historic engagement with the region and his visionary inaugural ceremony. Subsequent visits of respective heads of states underscored the increasing importance of amicable bilateral relationships to ensure regional security, sharing of common values, rule of law, democratic governance and respect for inclusive development.

Fashion stall

There were collaborations between the nine countries of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Maldives.

Exotic designs stall

Our experience at Sasian Journey’s Lotus Bazaar and Sanjha Chulha

Nepal stall

Cloth exhibition by South Asian countries

We reached in the evening at the event being held at The Ashok, Delhi. It was a huge ground where big food stalls of South Asian countries were exhibited along with other handicrafts stalls from these nine countries. Going further, there were stalls of clothes like suit pieces, coats, stoles, pottery, traditional designs, handicrafts, art, designer accessories etc. These innovative pieces were highly creative and attractive. It was a nice round of exhibition clearly showing the amount of effort put in by the craftsmen and artisans.

Exhibition of handicraft and clothing of South Asian countries

We were highly impressed by the exhibition stuff of these nine South Asian countries.It was a beautiful concept to put together.

South Asian cuisine stalls

Bloggers table at Sasian journey’s Lotus Bazaar and Sanjha Chulha

Dishes of South Asia

Post this round, we had coffee and then was turn to look around for food. We could see food stalls. It was raining and dining area was busy. All dishes were well labelled and we were eager to taste them.

Senior Executive Chef Mr.Loomba addressing the bloggers

Surprisingly, we came to know about an interaction with Mr. Rajan Loomba, the Chief Executive Chef, The Ashok Hotel who has the overall responsibility of the F&B Production Department and Official Banquets hosted by the Vice President of India & the Honourable PM of India. It was a pleasant surprise. Mr. Rajan Loomba has published high end recipe books from the Ashok Group of Hotels (ITDC) “Royal Recipe Book” , “Ashok Book of favourite Indian Recipes”  and “The Coffee Table Menu Book for The Oudh Restaurant”. Oudh restaurant was started by him in 1995.

Bloggers table

He has also presented Food Shows “Zaika ka Safar”, “Lazzat”, etc on several TV Channels:  like ETV, CNEB and CNBC in India. While in Caracas, Venezuela presented a TV show on channel 33 anchored by Mr. Hector Susy a famous food critic and popular TV food program host & was also invited by Chef Sumito (a celebrity Chef in Venezuela) to his radio program where we talked about the Indian Food & Culture and the Indian Food Festival.

With The chief Executive Chef Mr. Rajan Loomba @The Ashok hotel

It was a nice time spent at the Bloggers table. Mr. Rajan Loomba along with his team Chef Gaurav (Presently handling the Banquet Kitchen which caters to in house functions & parties as well as Out Door Caterings at the Prime Minister’s Residence, Hyderabad House, Vigyan Bhawan, etc. ) and Chef Sanjay ( Sous Chef responsible for the catering arrangements for the banquet functions in the hotel and the functions hosted by the Honorable PM of India at Hyderabad House for the visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries besides assisting the Executive Chef in running the Department).

Firni from Pakistan

South Asian cuisine display

Senior Executive Chef Mr. Rajan Loomba explained the concept of South Asian Food festival, Sanjha Chulha meaning community cooking where the signature dishes of nine South Asian countries have been brought on the table. There we got to taste various mouthwatering cuisines of South Asian countries. India had demonstrated Murgh Rehana with Naan/Parantha, Gulnar Biryani with Raita/Salad, Dum Gosht Biryani with raita/salad and stuffed Gulab Jamun as desserts. We also tasted Chicken Momos from Bhutan and Nepal,Afghani Shorva, Pakistani Firni, Kakul Mas Curry from Sri Lanka and Sarson Maach from Bangladesh. All the dishes were enticing and delectable. Having an interaction with the person who caters to the PM and Presidential F&B production and Banquets was an honour. We felt very happy.

Myself with the Secretary of Tourism- Dr.Lalit K Panwar

Post that we got to meet with Dr. Lalit K Panwar, the Secretary of Tourism which was a pride in itself.

Mr. Rajeev Sethi addressing the audiences

On the other area, Mr.Rajeev Sethi, the Chairman and Founder of The Asian Heritage Foundation, a Padma Bhushan Awardee was addressing the audience.

Overall, it was a great happening event and since this event is going to travel across nine countries, we would look forward to the next amalgamation of Asian countries.

Nidhi KM

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