New Delhi, 4 February: There was all around performances, colourful cuisine full of ingredients and specialties of the world at 70th anniversary Bazaar organised by Delhi Commonwealth Women’s Association (DCWA) and the Diplomatic community in Delhi. It was a weekend of delicious traditional food, smiles and crafts, when over 30 countries participated and showcased their culture and cuisine. 
With many traditional delicacies and dishes DCWA anniversary bazaar revealed what the event was all about: Gastro Diplomacy through delicious cuisine – blended with Mediterranean, Continental, Thai, and Mughlai flavours, with a hint of western influence.
“Many aspects of cuisine and culture are disappearing and are no longer practiced or consumed in many developing countries. In order to keep them, identifying and understanding food and culture is vital. How can we accomplish this? One is to communicate with the culture bearers or those who practice and pass down cultural values, traits, and knowledge within their communities”, a participant from Ghana told.
“Similarly, the Nigeria has a rich culinary heritage and has connection with India that deserves to be preserved and recognised in the international scene”, she added.
This was one of Delhi’s most loved food and culture festivals that had all the ingredients for a good time. With a variety of stalls from over 30 countries – all offering a delectable blend of cuisines, which had something for every palate. Musical and dance performances while munching on some was amazing fare. This “Diplomatic Baazar” was carefully put together by Delhi Commonwealth Women’s Association (DCWA) and Diplomatic community for Gastronomy to appeal and includes not only some of the most lip-smacking food, but also culinary workshops by master chefs and mixologists with many musical and cultural showings as a part of soft diplomacy to win friends and aware people about their culture.
This event was graced by many officials of diplomatic corps. along with ambassadors of Asian, African and other European countries. While talking about the Bazaar, Egyptian Ambassador to India, Wael Hamed, said that “this event has been organised to make people connect and aware about the culture and it’s food to other countries people.”
“The Bazaar is also a practice of exporting culinary heritage, Civilisation as part of a public diplomacy effort,” to win hearts and minds through stomachs,” he added.
Ambassador of Brazil, Andre Aranha Correa Do Lago, was also happy to share about Brazilian effort in public diplomacy. He said, “we are trying to aware Indian people about the food and culture of Brazil. This will help both countries to understand each other, make friends and strengthen the relationships.”
He also highlighted the priorities and bilateral issues during the discussion. He emphasised on India’s G20 presidency and plans for next year Brazil’s turn for G20 presidency. [His full discussion will be available soon].
Beside this, Ambassador of Denmark also stated the same. He said, India and Denmark has long and strong relationship. Not only on trade and technology partnerships, but the borderless nature of cuisine and cultural exchange makes it an effective tool for bridging divides.
However, this was neither the first time nor the last when any country or community hosted such events to win friends and influence people. Earlier, many countries have embraced similar strategies in the past. Delhi Commonwealth Women’s Association (DCWA) president, Anjali thanked all the participants from embassies. She said, “we want to spread love and good relationships through such type of events, which brings everyone together despite political differences.”
“From USA to Russia and China, India to Pakistan everyone is here to share their culture and food. And no one is hesitant to share their love through food and culture. Hence, this is the only solution to overcome the global crisis”, Anjali further added. “This bazaar also brings hope to the under previlaged community. DCWA uses all collections from the diplomatic fair for deprived community for their education or health,” she said.
In the changing time, the emergence of such gastrodiplomacy initiatives is, in itself, a direct consequence of food globalization, which allows ingredients, products, ideas, and culinary professionals to effortlessly circulate around the world. And DCWA effort is one of that to aware people, win friends and most importantly help the marginalised section of the society.
-Dr. M Shahid Siddiqui (PhD), Follow via Twitter @shahidsiddiqui
Walk through the different aromas engulfing the air, from sizzling kebabs and kormas to Pad Thai and the infamous #Thai green curry, in a charity #diplomatic fair under the patronage of DCWA (Delhi Commonwealth Women's Association). Special Story #ComingSoon ; #Diplomacy #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/hX33DukEjg
— Dr. Shahid Siddiqui (@shahidsiddiqui) February 4, 2023
