RECONNECT WITH NATURE

The Imperial, New Delhi had put together an interesting afternoon for World Environment Day to create awareness on the significance of consuming slow food or home-grown food. An initiative to stay naturally healthy with home gardening was conceptualized by The Imperial to 'reconnect with nature' on the occasion and also to educate people on the need for pesticide-free food, by decentralising the way we source it. Sangeeta Khanna, a renowned healing food expert gave a special talk on the importance and benefits of home-grown- fresh fruits and vegetables plucked right from your garden while Khetify – a smart urban home farming solution, edified everyone on the simple techniques to make it possible, right in your backyard.

Vijay Wanchoo, senior EVP and GM, The Imperial, New Delhi said, "We have always demonstrated a commitment to environment by reducing, recycling and reusing to give back to society and the surroundings we operate in. Taking these programs a step ahead, we propose home-grown produce as a vital stream of life in the current scenario and thank Sangeeta Khanna and Khetify for their immense support in spreading this topical knowledge to the urban city dwellers." He further said,"The increasing use of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers in farm produce is triggering toxic food, filled with chemical components. This leads to serious health hazards, on regular consumption. The best way to escape this uncertainty of what is going in our systems is by reducing dependency on fruits and vegetables grown by farmers and adapting home- gardening in your own backyard/ balcony. Also gardening makes you happy, it saves cost and time, is convenient, organic and nutritious."

"We need to introspect about how our personal health is directly linked to the health of the planet. The way our unhealthy habits have been making our carbon footprint heavier, we need to take the responsibility to make our sources of food sustainable. Growing at least some of our own food is a wonderful way to nourish our body and cleanse the environment at the same time" said Sangeeta Khanna. Shabnam Kapur, Co-Founder, Khetify talking about their initiative commented, "The idea of sustainability stems from self-dependence. Our mission is to make urban areas self-dependent for their food and nutritional requirements. It is possible to utilise a lot of urban space that is lying vacant to grow food."

The afternoon concluded with a organically curated Green Hi –Tea spread by Chef Alok Verma, Executive Sous Chef at The Imperial. It featured a spectacular spread including Purple quinoa, parsley and millet salad with pomegranate; avocado, lime, tomato and cilantro with dehydrated banana chips; charred red peppers, goat cheese pyramids in sour dough; beetroot and millet focaccia, smoked salmon, rocket leaves, honey mustard; spinach, avocado and Aloe Vera smoothie; Caramelized apple cake with ragi and cinnamon amidst other delectable delights, offering a healthy and nutritious ode to the nature.