Here’s how you can do your bit for the farmers at The Independence Day Daawat hosted by The Bombay Canteen
What makes a good meal, truly a good meal? The thought that it’s putting food on someone else’s table, too. In the past four years, The Bombay Canteen’s Independence Day Daawat has managed to raise Rs 33.96 lakh for their supporting charities. This year, too, the restaurant is back to celebrate the thought that is India, with a sumptuous meal of regional Indian delicacies, with the funds going to the Naandi Foundation that works with the adivasi farmers of the Araku Valley to restore their land and forests.
Going back to the original thought behind the annual fundraiser, Sameer Seth, Co-founder, The Bombay Canteen, says that it was to bring back the feeling of celebration and pride in Independence Day. “From serving 170 people in the first year to adding more tables and chairs last year to accommodate 800 people — it’s been a heart-warming journey for us to see how the initiative has grown over the years,” he adds.
Giving back to the farmers
As they have developed relationships with farmers and experts in the field, they have come to the realisation that a lot needs to be done for the farmers to whom we owe the food on our tables. “The fact remains that 85 percent of the small and marginal farmers are not able to put three square meals a day on their tables. So, we thought, why not start a conversation and give back to the farmer community,” he says. Sameer and his team partnered with the Naandi Foundation and visited the Araku Valley to see the kind of initiatives being taken for the farmers there. “We have identified a village called Chedu Put and the funds collected will go towards setting up sustainable fruits orchards and to be able to buy better infrastructure for their farms,” he adds.
(Food served on a banana leaf)
Regional delicacies
Just like every year, the tables will be joined and there will be a community-style seating. The regional delicacies from different states that will be served on banana leaves will comprise Parippu Vada, Bengali Lau Ghonto, Bihari Kantola Chokha, Chicken and Bamboo Curry from Arunachal Pradesh among other dishes, chutneys and accompaniments. There’s a delicious Goan Coconut & Baath Cake and Rajasthani Malt Milk Barfi to round off the meal. The best part? Pay as much as you want! “Your contribution will definitely help, but we also want to start a larger conversation around agriculture and how we can create a sustainable ecosystem,” concludes Sameer. For those who can’t make it to the daawat but would like to contribute to the cause, they can do so online through the Ketto crowdfunding platform.
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