Rice Villa Utsav Season 9: ‘Be RICEponsible’ – A Nationwide Appeal to Stop Food WastageKolkata, 9th November 2024: The much-awaited Rice Villa Utsav Season 9 was held successfully on 9thNovember 2024 in Hotel Hindustan International (HHI) Kolkata with the powerful theme ‘Be RICEponsible’ —a call to stop food wastage and take responsibility for the food we consume. The event was attended by 400distinguished guests from the food industry across India, with special appearances by:● Mr. Ajay Thakur, Former Head of BSE SME and Start-up (28 years till April 2024), CEO & ManagingPartner, TGI SME Capital Advisors LLP.● Mr. Samrat Rahi, Hon. Deputy Chairman, Kolkata Port Trust.The event focused on raising awareness about the massive issue of food wastage and presented actionablesolutions.Main Highlights of the Event:● Mother Earth Live Performance: The event kicked off with an emotional live dance performanceportraying Mother Earth herself, who appealed to the audience through a moving documentary. Sheurged humanity to stop wasting the food she produces for us, emphasizing the environmental andsocial consequences of food wastage.● Documentary Release on Food Conservation: Rice Villa launched an impactful documentaryshowcasing their collaboration with ‘Robinhood Army’ and ‘Food ATM’. These initiatives are helpingthe nation reduce food wastage by redistributing excess food to those in need.● Presentation on Food Wastage: The event also featured a detailed presentation on the three primarystages of food wastage:1. At Warehousing & Supply Chain: Wastage during storage and transportation.2. At HORECA Segment (Hotels, Restaurants, Catering, and Large Gatherings): Focused onthe excessive food waste at weddings and events.3. At Household Level: Highlighting food wastage at the consumer level in households.Conclusion of the Event:The event concluded with a heartfelt appeal to all of India: “Let’s Be RICEponsible Together” — a call foreveryone to take collective action and stop food wastage. The message was clear: by being more mindful offood consumption, we can all contribute to saving resources, reducing environmental damage, and ensuringfood reaches those who need it.About Rice Villa Utsav:Rice Villa Utsav is an annual cultural festival that celebrates the heritage and culture of Bengal while promotingsustainability, food conservation, and social responsibility. This year’s event focused on raising awarenessabout food wastage and encouraging action to ensure that food is used responsibly
