PM Modi, Ashraf Ghani get a glimpse of Punjabi culture, cuisine

Sadda Pind, set up as a tourist destination to showcase Punjab's culture and food, was the venue for dinner for delegates

Amritsar, Dec 4: 'Sarson Ka Saag' and 'Dal' was served to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani at "Sadda Pind"--a village especially set up to present Punjab's rich food to the delegates attending the Heart of Asia conference here.

Besides, Modi and Ghani, delegates from various countries, including Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's Foreign Policy Advisor Sartaj Aziz, were served delicacies at "Sadda Pind".

Sadda Pind, set up as a tourist destination to showcase Punjab's culture and food, was the venue for dinner for delegates, officials said here today. Spread over 12-acres of land, Sadda Pind is a true replica of a village in Punjab.

There was Sarson Ka Saag, Makki Ki Roti and Dal for the taste buds of dignitaries besides a number of vegetarian and non-vegetarian items. It included 'Kaddi Pakora', 'Jeera Palao', 'Amritsari Kulcha', 'Parantha', 'Naan', 'Amritsari Phirni', 'Mung Dal Ka Halwa' and 'Gulab Jamun' which are part of Punjab's traditional food.

'Fish Tikka', 'Murg Tikka', 'Galoti Kabab', 'Paneer Makki Seekh', 'Butter Chicken', 'Boto of Lawrence road' were among the other delicacies, besides a number of Punjabi breads, served to the guest, an official at Sadda Pind said.

Modi and Ghani and other delegates stayed at the village for about an hour. Starters included Fish Tikka, Afghani Murg Tikka, Paneer Malai Seekh, and Aloo Channa Tikka while Phirni and Kesar Kulfi was for dessert.

The guest list was kept at about 200, the official said, adding elaborate security arrangements were made for the visiting dignitaries.

Sadda Pind (our village) is the Akali government's ambitious project of heritage village, which is in sync with the ethnic Punjabi culture and tradition, Project director Ish Gambhir said.

Situated on Amritsar-Attari road, en-route Attari-Wagah border, where the Retreat Ceremony takes place every evening, the heritage village showcases Punjab's culture and tradition.

The village features houses of potters, weavers, blacksmiths and artisans who make parandis, juttis, phulkaris, clay toys, musical instruments, durries, agricultural implements and shawls, among other traditional Punjabi items.

The village also show-cases the residences of Sarpanch and Nambardar, Baraat Ghar (community hall), daak ghar (post office), a dhaba and a grocery store, besides a huge haveli. The project aims at rehabilitating and reviving folk art and crafts of Punjab by recruiting local artists.

PTI