Sri Vijaya Puram, October 19: Cooking contests, coconut-based handicraft competitions and workshops for children will feature at the third Island Coconut Festival on October 24 and 25, as the Andaman and Nicobar Administration seeks to showcase the cultural traditions, culinary practices and livelihood opportunities linked to coconut cultivation and its products.
The Directorate of Information, Publicity and Tourism (IP&T), in collaboration with allied departments, will organise the festival at ITF Ground in Sri Vijaya Puram from 4 pm to 9 pm on both days. The event will focus on the theme “Celebrating Coconut – Culture, Cuisine, Crafts of the Islands”.
The programme will include activities for children, open competitions for participants and opportunities for artisans, self-help groups (SHGs), food businesses and cultural organisations to display their products.
A coconut-themed painting workshop for children will take place on October 24 in collaboration with the Education Department. On October 25, children can participate in a handicraft-making workshop that will use coconut and its by-products. Sobha Rani and Kamala, associated with SHGs through the Rural Development Department, will serve as resource persons for the session.
Two competitions scheduled for October 24 will focus on traditional skills and coconut-based products. The Agriculture Department will coordinate a coconut de-husking contest with separate categories for men and women.
A cooking competition open to all will invite participants to prepare dishes using coconut. Contestants must bring their food prepared in advance, as only garnishing will be permitted at the venue. A separate competition will allow participants to present art and handicrafts made using coconut and its by-products.
Participants seeking to register for either the cooking or handicraft competition can contact Reshma, consultant with the Rural Development Department, at 7063970389.
The festival will also provide space for businesses and community organisations to display their products and culinary specialities. The Directorate of IP&T has invited applications from hoteliers, restaurant owners, food stall operators, artisans, SHGs, non-governmental organisations and cultural associations interested in setting up stalls.
Application forms are available from the Directorate of IP&T. Applicants must submit their forms by October 22, ahead of the two-day event.
The festival is intended to bring together island communities and visitors around coconut-related traditions, while providing a platform for creative activities, food preparations, handicrafts and products associated with the crop. Its programme combines demonstrations of traditional skills with opportunities for children to explore art and craft-making using coconut materials.
