Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Dr. Deepak Mittal and his wife Dr. Alpna Mittal; Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar H E M Mafaz Mohideen; Sheikh Mohamed Al Thani; Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf, with other official and guests during the inauguration of ‘India Utsav’ at Lulu Hypermarket, Barwa Family Housing, Madinatna.
Doha: Lulu Group, the region’s leading retail chain, is hosting the ‘India Utsav’ to mark 74th Republic Day of India, offering a wide range of Indian food and spices, authentic dishes, and ethnic clothing.
The festival is highlighting and promoting best quality Indian food, diverse culture, and heritage of India, and is aimed at disseminating the information about the excellence in manufacturing and innovation of Indian products among the local and expatriate communities.
The 10 day-long festival has been organised by the Lulu Group every year in all its regions for the last two decades. The festival which commemorates the Indian Republic Day also celebrates the age-old Qatar-India trade relations.
This year the festival also celebrates the declaration made by the UN, naming 2023 as “the International Year of Millets” keeping in view the submission of the Government of India.
Ambassador of India to Qatar H E Dr. Deepak Mittal and his wife Dr. Alpna Mittal inaugurated the festival on Wednesday at Lulu Hypermarket, Barwa Family Housing, Madinatna. The event was attended by Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar H E M Mafaz Mohideen; Sheikh Mohamed Al Thani; Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf, and other officials and guests.
The Ambassador of India, in his inaugural address said that “India Utsav is a very unique initiative by Lulu Hypermarket on the eve of 74th Republic Day of India”.
“The festival is offering a variety of food products including organic items which were imported from different parts of India,” the Ambassador said. He said that since the year 2023 has been declared by the United Nations as the International Year of the Millet, the festival is focusing specially on showcasing all varieties of millets due to their health and other benefits.
“India is one of the largest producers of millet which is considered supper food. The event is a good opportunity for visitors to know how to use millets in day-to-day life,” said the Ambassador. He congratulated Lulu for holding the festival introducing fantastic Indian food items and cuisines in an innovative way to the residents.
Lulu Group regularly imports over 4,000 items of Indian origin including popular FMCG products, Lulu Pvt label’s products, fruits and vegetables, packaged food products, household goods, kitchen essentials, and traditional wear and other garments. These products are made available throughout the year in all stores across the region.
The festival offers exclusive display of these products at all Lulu stores in the region. Moreover, Lulu Hypermarket is also highlighting a huge range of and bakery products made out of millets and freshly made hot foods that are prepared in-store for the entire promotion, from biryanis to curries, popular street foods, traditional sweets, and many more delicacies.
Director of Lulu Group International Dr. Mohamed Althaf said the annual festival has added some special activities for this year to mark International Year of the Millet.
He said that demand for millet is growing worldwide due to its health benefits especially for diabetic people and sustainability in growing. “Colourful cultural programmes will be held on daily basis throughout the festival for two weeks.”
He said that the activities include artistic performances, film launch and star cook among others to promote Lulu Hypermarket, Barwa Family Housing, Madinatna.
