Wheat Industry Unites in Hyderabad to Advance Pest Management and Sustainability

Wheat Industry Unites in Hyderabad to Advance Pest Management and Sustainability

By Nishang Narayan

Published on November 28, 2024

The Wheat Products Promotion Society (WPPS), the leading body for wheat and wheat-based industries since 1987, hosted a landmark conference in Hyderabad, uniting over 100 industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders. Held at Vivanta Hyderabad Begumpet, the event focused on tackling pressing challenges in pest management, food safety, and sustainability for the wheat milling industry.

In his opening address, Mr. Manish Gupta, President of the Telangana Roller Flour Mills Association, stressed the importance of technological advancements and sustainable practices to address the sector’s evolving demands. WPPS Chairman Mr. Ajay Goyal echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the Society's commitment to fostering innovation and collaboration to overcome emerging challenges such as pest management and food safety.

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Keynote and Technical Insights

The conference’s keynote speaker, Shri R.V. Karnan, IAS, Commissioner of Food Safety for Telangana, highlighted the critical role of food safety standards and regulatory compliance. His address underscored the need for unified efforts to meet global food safety requirements while advancing sustainable pest management practices.

The technical sessions offered actionable insights into modern practices:

  • Grain Storage Evolution: Presented by Mr. Munishwar Vasudeva, Managing Director of Lotus Harvestec, focused on the role of automation in enhancing pest control and storage efficiency.
  • Good Fumigation Practices: Delivered by Dr. GSS Prakash and Mr. Bhupendra Patil of Sandhya Group, offering strategies to improve fumigation methods.
  • Sustainable Silo Storage: Dr. Anna-Maria Nunez Vega, CTO of Grain Technik Pvt. Ltd., highlighted eco-friendly technologies for grain storage.
  • Innovative Methods: Mr. Praveen Gupta, Vice President of GrainPro India, introduced energy-efficient drying and storage techniques aimed at reducing waste.
  • Chemical-Free Pest Control: Mr. Anil Bhat of Integro Engineers Pvt. Ltd. discussed heat treatments as alternatives to harmful chemicals.
  • Integrated Pest Management: Presented by Mr. Ujjwal Kumar of E&G Pathway, showcasing automation and data-driven pest control strategies.

Sustainability as the Core Theme

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Sustainability emerged as a central theme, with discussions focusing on reducing environmental impact while ensuring food safety and efficiency. Pest management consultant Mr. Siddharth Sarangpani emphasized the role of food safety audits in maintaining compliance and enhancing pest control effectiveness.

The conference concluded with a networking lunch, fostering collaboration and partnerships among participants. WPPS reaffirmed its dedication to driving innovation, sustainability, and growth in the wheat milling sector, ensuring its pivotal role in global food security.

About WPPS

Founded in 1987, the Wheat Products Promotion Society is the apex body representing India’s wheat-based industries. WPPS is committed to advancing the sector through advocacy, collaboration, and innovation, addressing challenges to ensure sustainable growth and global competitiveness.


Barbeque Nation Hosts Odia Food Fest ‘Odia Trails’ With Chef Abinas Nayak

Barbeque Nation Hosts Odia Food Fest ‘Odia Trails’ With Chef Abinas Nayak

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 28, 2026

Barbeque Nation is hosting an Odia food festival titled ‘Odia Trails’, celebrating the rich and diverse culinary heritage of Odisha. The festival features a specially curated menu by renowned chef and Masterchef India – Season 6 winner, Abinas Nayak, bringing regional flavours to diners through a thoughtfully crafted buffet experience.

Odia Trails offers a gastronomic journey through authentic Odisha cuisine, blending timeless street-style favourites with traditional regional specialities. The festival showcases a wide variety of dishes including the much-loved Dahi Pakhala, Chhena Poda, Mutton Aloo Aloo, Dalma, and several other classic preparations that reflect the soul of Odia cooking.

Sharing his thoughts on the collaboration, Chef Abinas Nayak (Masterchef India Season 6 winner) commented, “ I’m privileged to be a part of Barbeque Nation’s Odia food festival – Odia Trails, where I would be crafting iconic dishes from the Odisha cuisine. The widespread buffet is an amalgamation of diverse and flavourful cuisine, combining aromatic spices, fresh ingredients, and traditional cooking techniques.”

The Odia Trails festival highlights the vibrant flavours inspired by Odisha’s seasons and street food culture, presented through Barbeque Nation’s all-you-can-eat buffet format. Designed for food enthusiasts keen to explore regional delicacies, the spread combines fusion-based cooking with heritage Odia recipes curated by Chef Abinas Nayak.

The festival is being hosted at Barbeque Nation’s Marathahalli outlet, offering guests an opportunity to experience the depth and diversity of Odia cuisine in a familiar and interactive dining setting.


Dakshin Legacy Opens in Mumbai, Spotlighting South India’s Coastal Culinary Traditions

Dakshin Legacy Opens in Mumbai, Spotlighting South India’s Coastal Culinary Traditions

By Hariharan U

Published on January 28, 2026

Mumbai’s dining landscape welcomes Dakshin Legacy, a fine-dining restaurant devoted entirely to the coastal cuisines of South India. Positioned as the city’s only restaurant focused solely on this culinary geography, Dakshin Legacy celebrates traditional food from Mangalore, Kerala, Goa and Tamil Nadu, prepared exactly as it has been for generations.

Rooted in authenticity, the kitchen follows age-old techniques such as stone-ground masalas, clay-pot slow cooking, hand-pressed coconut milk and banana-leaf steaming. Regional spices are sourced directly from India’s southern coastline, ensuring flavours remain bold, honest and deeply rooted. There is no fusion or modern reinterpretation, only food that respects tradition.

The culinary programme is led by Chef Nagesh, whose approach is shaped by patience, memory and a deep respect for coastal cooking. Signature dishes include Crab Chettinad, Pomfret Gassi, Prawns Ghee Roast, Surmai Masala Fry, and Clams Sukka, each showcasing the diversity and depth of South India’s coastal kitchens.

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Complementing the food is a coastal-inspired bar programme curated by Saroj, translating familiar regional flavours into contemporary cocktails. Ingredients such as kokum, curry leaves, fresh fruits and gentle spices take centre stage. Highlights include Reddy on the Rocks, Chiranjeevi Kidu, Bahubali Burst, Lungi Dance, and Rajni Kudampuli, adding a playful yet rooted layer to the experience.

The 4,800 sq. ft. space, designed by founder Harshita Shetty, seats 150 guests and reflects the warmth of South India’s coastal homes. Teakwood, cane accents, antique Mangalorean window frames, brass details and banana-leaf motifs come together in a soothing palette of ivory, green and gold.

With Dakshin Legacy, I wanted to create a space that feels like a homecoming, where coastal traditions are preserved with heart and intention,” says Harshita Shetty.

Open for both lunches and dinners, Dakshin Legacy is envisioned as a destination for family gatherings, business meals and celebratory occasions. With its focus on uncompromising authenticity and soulful storytelling, the restaurant adds a timeless new chapter to Mumbai’s evolving food scene.

Address: Ground Floor, Pinnacle Corporate Park, Near Trade Centre BKC, Kalina, Bandra East, Mumbai
Timings: 11:00 am to 12:30 am


Sip the Seasons: Anardana Unveils Its Signature Cocktail Collection

Sip the Seasons: Anardana Unveils Its Signature Cocktail Collection

By Hariharan U

Published on January 28, 2026

Anardana has unveiled a new signature cocktail collection that draws inspiration from iconic street cuisines across India and select global destinations. Designed with a global outlook and an Indian soul, the collection reimagines familiar street flavours through classic cocktail techniques, bold ingredients and layered profiles, creating drinks that feel both nostalgic and contemporary.

Each cocktail has been crafted to pair seamlessly with Anardana’s dining experience, offering guests a journey through flavours that are expressive, comforting and inventive. Among the highlights is Banarasi Paan, an aromatic blend of gin and rosso vermouth with gulkand and betel leaves, capturing the sweetness, spice and ceremonial charm of Banaras in a refined, modern form.

Kaapi Time brings together whiskey, South Indian filter coffee, coconut and brown sugar, delivering warmth and depth with a soulful finish. The Phirni Tini offers an indulgent reinterpretation of the beloved dessert, presented as a clarified, creamy and delicately balanced cocktail. Adding a bold, umami-forward edge is Samurai’s Sip, which combines whiskey with gari, passion fruit and ponzu for a playful yet complex profile.

Completing the signature selection is Tuscan Sunset, a fresh and herbaceous cocktail featuring gin, basil, olive, tomato and coconut, evoking relaxed Mediterranean afternoons in every sip.

Balancing innovation with familiarity, the menu also features timeless classics. The crisp Dark ’n Stormy pairs dark rum with ginger beer for a spicy, refreshing finish, while the elegant Cosmopolitan blends vodka, orange liqueur, lime and cranberry for effortless sophistication. The ever-popular LIIT (500 ml) brings together vodka, gin, rum, tequila and triple sec with lime and cola, making it bold, festive and ideal for sharing.

Carefully composed and expressive, Anardana’s cocktail collection invites guests to slow down, savour and explore, reinforcing the brand’s focus on flavour-led storytelling through food and drink.

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