On the healthier side

With more and more people becoming conscious about their lifestyles, it is nice to see increasing fairs and exhibitions that bring to the City options that one can explore in this regard.

An international organic trade fair, ‘BioFach India’, was one of these — it brought together many options, especially in terms of the right kind of eating.

The fair, a haven for anyone who is pro-organic items, had various stalls displaying spices, pulses, fruits and vegetables, flowers and more. For farmers and cultivators, there were bio-products — like bio-pesticides and bio-capsules — displayed.

“Compared to synthetic pesticides, these might be a bit costlier. But over the period of time the agricultural growth will be more and these products are eco-friendly,” says R Prasad, a stall member. 

Consisting of 141 stalls with 83 private exhibitors and 16 international exhibitors, along with eight state pavilions from Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu. Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand and Sikkim, the fair was elaborate in all senses.

Organic chocolates and other products like breakfast cereals, sauces, chips, cookies and slimming cures, all the way from Germany, were other interesting things one could indulge in at the fair.

While one stall displayed 22 varieties of rice and seven types of millets, other stalls showed different kinds of organic teas. Varying from organic socks to vegetable-dye bags, there was something for everyone.

And for those who thought that the fair was just about organic farming, there was more to be excited about.

The huge butterfly display by the Horticulture Board was a sight to see. Stoles for Rs 200 to saris for Rs 7,000 were other attractions for shoppers.

Another stall, in collaboration with the BBMP, had displays on how to segregate waste, awareness about what was recyclable and what wasn’t, and about composting.

“This has been a very educative experience. I wasn’t even aware that there were so many brands and different concepts to be explored in terms of organic products. To know and see all these different items is a big blessing,” says Ramamurthy R, a college professor.

“Nowadays, everyone is health conscious. I am here to see the best of the organic industry and to be able to make wiser choices from now on,” adds Suma Shashtry, a homemaker.

Apart from the various stalls, there were food stalls comprising main courses and desserts, as well as drinks that were all organic.