Only vegetarian food at Hunar Haat tomorrow

To "promote communal harmony", culinary experts from the minority communities taking part in Hunar Haat here will serve only vegetarian food tomorrow to mark Mahashivratri.
Around 30 culinary experts at the 'Bawarchikhana' segment of the Haat have been offering over two dozen types of non-vegetarian food.
Launched on February 11, the Haat is part of the Centre's initiative to promote artisans and culinary experts from the minority communities by providing them a platform.
"They (the experts) have now decided they will serve only vegetarian food on Mahashivratri. Not only this, they will serve food consumed during 'vrat' (fasting). This decision is aimed at promoting communal harmony," Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi said.

In what he cited as another example of the exhibition encouraging harmony, members of minority communities other than Muslims ensure they don't play music when the latter offer prayers.
There are six notified minority communities in the country -- Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis and Jains.

The Haat has a 'bawarchikhana' (kitchen) where cuisines from different parts of the country, including Awadhi Mughlai food from Lucknow, Dal Bati Churma and Thali of Rajasthan, Kerala's Malabari food, and Litti Chokha of Bihar are up for relishing.
The Haat, to be held until February 26, is being organised through the National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation under the Ministry's Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTAAD) scheme.

About 184 master artisans from 26 states and Union territories had showcased their traditional art and skills at about 100 stalls at the first Haat held at India International Trade Fair, Pragati Maidan between November 14 and November 27 last year.
Mahashivratri, a Hindu festival, is celebrated annually in honour of Lord Shiva.