Dr Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurates Healthy & Hygienic Food Street, 'PRASADAM,' at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, in Ujjain

“PRASADAM will connect common citizens in every corner of the country with pure and safe local and traditional food. This endeavor will align common people and tourists to safe and healthy eating habits.” This was stated by Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, as he inaugurated the country’s 1st Healthy & Hygienic Food Street, 'PRASADAM,' at Neelkanth Van, Mahakal Lok, in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh on 7 January 2024. He was joined by Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Shri Rajendra Shukla ji Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh State, Shri Narendra Shivaji Patel, Minister of State for Public Health and Family Welfare of Madhya Pradesh State, and Shri Anil Firojiya, Member of Lok Sabha.

Reaffirming the vision of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, Dr. Mandaviya stated, “To achieve the vision of Viksit Bharat, the nation's citizens must be healthy. He further elaborated, “Apart from substantive health infrastructure, hygienic food forms a necessary component for good health for a citizen. In the coming days, every city will have its food street, ensuring healthy food reaches all across the nation.”

The Union Health Minister launched the official website for the Healthy & Hygienic Food Street initiative. He also unveiled a brochure outlining the Standard Operating Procedure for Healthy & Hygienic Food Streets. 

Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya and Dr. Mohan Yadav jointly inaugurated 17 civil works encompassing two Public Health Unit blocks, 54 Chief Minister Sanjeevni Health Clinics, and three Integrated Public Health Labs, Emergency Covid response packages including 30 beds and wards, three Community Health Centres and eight Primary Health Care Centres. Additionally, the Union Health Minister and the Chief Minister jointly launched the Mannhit app, an initiative facilitating mental health screening. Under the National Health Mission, Digital Bhoomi Pujan was completed, and various projects were inaugurated. 

The Union Health Minister commended the development of infrastructure and facilities near food streets, including training and capacity building of street food vendors on food safety and hygiene. Dr. Mandaviya explored the vibrant stalls at the Eat Right Millets Melas and interacted with trained food handlers. 

Lauding the vision of the Prime Minster, Dr. Mohan Yadav praised the initiative of Food Street, which will ensure that healthy and clean food will be available to all in an engaging manner, contributing to a healthy nation. 

Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has released “The DART Book” to check common food adulterations at home with simple tests to empower consumers to tackle adulteration. Additionally, a mobile food testing van called Food Safety on Wheels (FSW) was launched to reach remote areas and conduct training and awareness activities, traveling from city to village to promote awareness campaigns and adulteration testing.

Spread over 939 square meters with 17 shops, “Prasadam” offers convenient and culturally rich dining options for the 1-1.5 lakh devotees who visit the Mahakaleshwar Temple daily. The newly launched food street is designed to provide various facilities, including a kids' play area, drinking water facility, CCTV surveillance, parking, public conveniences, and seating spaces. In addition to enhancing Ujjain's tourism appeal and preserving its culinary traditions, “Prasadam” will also contribute to economic growth and community engagement. 

Various members of Parliament, senior government officials, and eminent dignitaries attended the event.