Say hello to millets, the 'mother of all grains' that FM Nirmala Sitharaman wants Indians to eat

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's Budget speech in the 'Amrit Kaal' started on a healthy note. 'Amrit Kaal' is the era of new India that is considered to be the most auspicious period to begin work.

Within the first half-an-hour of her aspirational Budget 2023 speech, the FM said she wanted to make India the global hub for millet. Currently, India is the largest producer and second-largest exporter of millets.

The 63-year-old termed millets 'Shree Anna', which means the mother of all grains in India. The direct translation of 'Shree Anna' is prosperity and grain, respectively, in Hindi.


From keeping obesity at bay to managing type-2 diabetes, this desi superfood is packed with a number of benefits.

Strong Gut: Rich in potassium, millets are great for keeping your kidneys healthy. The fibres in the food will keep you full for longer durations and keep the digestive system up and running.

Brain Health: The potassium in this grain can help with strengthening nerve signal transmission, brains messenger to help the muscles function.

Goodbye Obesity: Millets are rich in vitamin A, vitamin B, phosphorus, potassium, antioxidants, niacin, calcium, iron, protein and fibre. It can give the necessary nutrients the body needs, aiding weight loss and keeping obesity at bay.

Controlling Blood Sugar Levels: Millets score high on the low glycemic index, which makes it the best food for pre-diabetics and diabetics. It is also beneficial to maintain blood sugar levels.

While the FM is doing her best to popularising millets, you can add this superfood to breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner in the form of upma, pancakes, idlis, chapatis, khichdi, salads, laddus, chikkis, soups and cupcakes. One can also replace the dishes made with rice and wheat with millet.

The FM said that the Centre, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will support the Indian Institute Of Millets Research in Hyderabad a centre of excellence. This millet institute will share best practices, various research and technology at an international level. She also increased the agricultural credit target to Rs 20 lakh crore, with a focus on animal husbandry, dairy and fisheries.