“PRASADAM will connect common citizens in every corner of the country with pure and safe local and traditional food. This endeavour will align common people and tourists to safe and healthy eating habits.” This was stated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare as he inaugurated the country’s 1st Healthy & Hygienic Food Street, 'PRASADAM,' at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh today. He was joined by Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Rajendra Shukla ji Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh State, Shri Narendra Shivaji Patel, Minister of State for Public Health and Family Welfare of Madhya Pradesh State and Shri Anil Firojiya, Member of Lok Sabha.
Reaffirming the vision of the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, Dr. Mandaviya stated “to achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat, it is imperative that the citizens of the nation must be healthy. He further elaborated “Apart from substantive health infrastructure, healthy food that is hygienic forms a necessary component for good health for a citizen. In the coming days, every city will have its own food street ensuring healthy food reaches to all across the nation.” The Union Health Minister launched the official website for the Healthy & Hygienic Food Street initiative. He further unveiled a brochure outlining the Standard Operating Procedure for Healthy & Hygienic Food Streets.
Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Dr. Mohan Yadav jointly inaugurated 17 civil works encompassing two Public Health Unit blocks, 54 Chief Minister Sanjeevni Health Clinics and three Integrated Public Health Labs, Emergency Covid response package including 30 beds and wards three Community Health Centres and eight Primary Health Care Centres. Additionally, the Union Health Minister and the Chief Minister also jointly launched the Mannhit app which is an initiative facilitating screening for mental health. Under the National Health Mission, Digital Bhoomi Pujan was completed and various projects were inaugurated.
The Union Health Minister commended the development of infrastructure and facility near food streets including training and capacity building of street food vendors on food safety and hygiene. Dr. Mandaviya explored the vibrant stalls at the Eat Right Millets Melas and interacted with trained food handlers as well.
Lauding the vision of the Prime Minster, Dr. Mohan Yadav praised the initiative of Food Street which will serve to ensure that healthy and clean food will be available to all in an engaging manner contributing to a healthy nation.
To empower consumers to tackle adulteration, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released “The DART Book” to check common food adulterations at home with simple tests. Additionally, a mobile food testing van called Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) was launched to reach remote areas and conduct training and awareness activities, traveling from city to village to promote awareness campaigns and adulteration testing.
Spread over an area of 939 square meters with a total number of 17 shops, “Prasadam” offers convenient and culturally rich dining options for the 1-1.5 lakh devotees who visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple daily. The newly launched food street is designed to provide various facilities including a kids' play area, drinking water facility, CCTV surveillance, parking, public conveniences and seating spaces. In addition to enhancing Ujjain's tourism appeal and preserving its culinary traditions, “Prasadam” will also contribute to economic growth and community engagement.
The event was attended by various Members of Parliament, senior government officials as well as eminent dignitaries.