The ongoing exhibition at Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya (IGRMS) — ‘The Future of the Food: Pulses’ — has become centre of attraction. It is proving education for both parents and children, whereas the producers are learning about its economic benefits shown through statistics. There is no other food which provides such high quantity of protein on consumption and consumes very little water for production. It becomes essentially important considering the ever dipping water levels.
Peas, beans, lentils, and chickpeas have been staples for centuries, but pulses are on the verge of becoming the next big thing. last year, 2016, was the United Nations’ International Year of Pulses (IYoP) and there many good reasons why these crops could become the healthy, sustainable food trend for the coming decades. And it’s something producers should be paying attention to because it has big implications for their cropping practices, the health of their soil, and their bottom line. Consumers are asking for more protein, a meat alternative, an allergy-free and gluten-free food and pulses have it all. Health professionals are looking for ways to treat diseases such as diabetes and high cholesterol with food instead of just prescriptions pulses fit that bill. And society wants farmers to reduce inputs and water use and improve the soil pulses can do that, too.
This exhibition covers the broad topics of History of Pulses. The exhibition also includes hands-on exhibits, original samples of different species of pulses, 3D diorama, visual illustrations, multimedia, videos and info-graphics. This exhibition is interactive cum participatory in nature.
IGRMS as a leading National Museum is proud to associate in presenting the exhibition in its premises with a new taste incorporating a panel showcasing the cultural significance of pulses among the people of India. As a part of inter-institutional collaboration between the National Institutions, the exhibition now travels to the IGRMS to give a respite to the visitors knowing about this important food crops in one hand, whereas it will help to raise awareness of the prospects and challenges of ensuring food security on the other.