NIT Rourkela Celebrates World Food Day 2024

Rourkela, Oct 22: The Food Tech Society, under the Student Activity Center at NIT Rourkela, in collaboration with the Association of Food Scientists & Technologists (AFSTI) Rourkela chapter under the Department of Food Process Engineering, NITR celebrated World Food Day 2024 aligning with this year’s theme: “Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future”.

The event was held October 22 at PP Auditorium, NIT Rourkela, featured a range of engaging activities that promoted awareness and discussion on food security and sustainability.

The event commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, followed by a keynote address from the Chief Guest, Amit Agarwal, CEO of Grihashti Udyog. In his address, Agarwal emphasized the importance of sustainable practices within the food industry, calling for collective efforts to secure a healthier and more sustainable future.

Prof. Sabyasachi Mishra, Head of the Department of Food Process Engineering, along with Prof. Rama Chandra Pradhan, Associate Dean of Academics (PG & Research), and Dr. Vivek Kambhampati, Faculty Advisor of the Food Tech Society, highlighted the significance of celebrating World Food Day. They encouraged students of NIT Rourkela to raise awareness and engage in discussions about food security and sustainability. The inaugural function concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Prof. Madhuresh Dwivedi.

Following the formal program, an interactive webinar on "Sustainable Technologies in Indian Food Processing Industries" was conducted by Dr. Ronit Mandal, Assistant Professor, Department of Agriculture and Food Engineering, IIT Kharagpur. Dr. Mandal provided insights into the challenges and innovations surrounding sustainable food practices.

The event also included a quiz on ‘Food and Technology’, organized in collaboration with the Inquizzitive Club-NITR, followed by a case study competition in partnership with the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Campus Club of NITR. The case study focused on ‘Global Waste Disposal and Its Solutions’, encouraging students to explore practical and innovative ideas. These events drew participation from over 100 students, adding an interactive dimension to the event.

World Food Day 2024 at NIT Rourkela was successfully conducted, effectively promoting awareness about sustainable food systems and aligning with the global vision for a healthier and more equitable future.