NASVI national coordinator Arbind Singh says at the World Street Food Dialogue in Singapore, “India has tremendous potential in street food vending and advocacy efforts are on to influence Indian government to tap the potentials”
Heavy rush at Indian stalls serving litti chokha, litti mutton, bhelpuri, chicken 65 and chicken garlic
Singapore/ New Delhi, 4 June:
The social-economic dynamics of street food vending and the attitudes and responses of the national and provincial governments in India towards promoting the street food vending in cities and towns was one of key topics discussed on Tuesday at the World Street Food Dialogue in Singapore. More than 200 street food experts, street food entrepreneurs, food and tourism & entertainment promoters as well as street food masters of several countries including the National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) national coordinator Arbind Singh addressed the dialogue.
The dialogue was addressed among others by renowned chef, author and TV host of the USA Anthony Bourdain, Singapore’s food ambassador KF Seetoh, editor in chief of critically acclaimed American food magazine James Osland, managing editor of the China Daily Pauline Low, the Chinese TV host Johnny Chan, and street food entrepreneur of Denmark Claus Meyer. The speakers shared and discussed on the ways to preserve, professionalize and create new opportunities for street food vendors across countries.
Addressing the dialogue on the theme of ‘India’s Quest to Legitimize Five Million Street Food Vendors, Future Potentials & Vision’, NASVI chief Arbind Singh said, “ India has tremendous potential in street food vending and the advocacy efforts are on to influence Indian government to tap the potentials”. He talked about the policy and legislative developments taking place in India in favour of street vendors.
Mr. Singh said, “Our sustained efforts have yielded good results and the cabinet of our national government has approved the Street Vendors Livelihood Protection Bill. It would see the light of the day very soon. We also are advocating for a National Policy for Street Food Vendors and immediate creation of Food Streets in major cities and towns of India.” He called for developing bigger partnerships to promote street food in Asia and assert the brilliance of Asian street food in the world.
The World Street Food Dialogue took place on the occasion of the ongoing World Street Food Congress (WSFC) in Singapore. This international food carnival began on 31 May and would go on till 9 June. The WSFC is having forty stalls of different countries with mind boggling delicacies, such as varietes of noodles of China, Mee Siam, Penang Rojak, Assam Laksa of Malaysia, Chicken 65, Chicken Garlic, Tamarind Rice, Litti Chokha, Litti Mutton and Bhelpuri- Batatapuri and Pavbhaji of India, Tostada and Fish Taco of Mexico, soft shelled crab burger and smothered chicken of United States, Banh Khot, Banh Xeo and Chuoi Nuong of Vietnam, and Wee Nam Kee, poached chicken, Putu Mayam, Appam, Rojak and Cheng Tng of Singapore.
India is the only country having largest number of four street food stalls. The Indian team is led by NASVI street food programs manager Sangeeta Singh. On Tuesday, Ms. Singh along with Delhi India Gate vendor Gulab Singh joined a discussion as panelists and shared the intricacies of street food vending, particularly the management of ingredients in preparing the nutritious street food.
The Indian team comprises of Bhaskar Urs and Ashok Kumar of Mysore, Narayanswami and Akbar of Dharwar, Ashok Sah and Vijay Chaudhary of Patna, and Gulab Singh and Rajan of Delhi.
According to reports reaching here, the Indian stalls are pulling good crowds, especially the stalls serving and showcasing litti chokha, litti muttion, bhelpuri, batatapuri and chicken 65. The theme slogan of Indian team is “ Die Die Must Try Street Foods of India’..
