AGARTALA: The flavors of Northeast India reached the nation’s highest office as Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Republic Day celebrations featured an array of traditional delicacies from the region, prompting Tripura Chief Minister Professor Manik Saha to express delight at seeing his state’s iconic Matabari Peda and Pati Sapta Pitha among the specially curated menu items.
Chief Minister Saha wrote, “Hon’ble President of India hosted a high tea at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Republic Day.”
“Delighted to see our Matabari Peda & Pati Sapta Pitha from Tripura gracing the occasion- celebrating our rich cultural heritage,” he added, while sharing the menu of the occasion.
The menu featured sweet cravings from Tripura, including Pati Sapta Pitha, described as a popular winter-time dessert in Tripura as well as Assam. These delicate pancakes are made of rice flour and semolina, with a sweet filling of coconut and jaggery.
The GI Tagged confection from Tripura’s revered Matabari has a distinctive cardamom-infused caramelized flavour and soft texture. It is known for its unique heritage and quality and supports local communities, especially the women involved in its production.
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The menu included Black Rice Kheer (Kom Chawal) from Nagaland and Manipur. This creamy and aromatic dessert is made with gluten-free, iron-rich black rice, slow-cooked with milk, sugar and cardamom. It is popular at festivals in Nagaland and Manipur, known for its nutty flavor and high antioxidant content. Fresh cut fruits from the region were also part of the sweet cravings section.
The accompaniments section featured Narikol Laru from Assam, a bite-sized sweet of freshly grated coconut, slow roasted with jaggery, particularly popular in Assam. Additionally, Khapse, a traditional savory snack from Arunachal Pradesh, especially popular during Losar (Tibetan New Year) celebrations, was included. It is made with hand-shaped strips of butter-enriched dough.
Meanwhile, Union Minister and Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh Kiren Rijiju shared a video on his official X (formerly known as Twitter) handle, writing, “Delicious North-East food & colorful culture welcomed the guests in Rashtrapati Bhavan ‘At Home’ on the occasion of Republic Day.”
“European Council President António Costa, EC President Ursula von der Leyen, VP CP Radhakrishnan ji, PM Narendra Modi ji & top officials attended,” he added.
Furthermore, Til Laru, a combination of roasted sesame seeds and melted jaggery, is a staple of the Magh Bihu harvest celebrations in Assam. The menu also featured Til Pitha, described as a delicate, crispy rice roll with a sweet and nutty filling of black sesame and jaggery, another favourite of the harvest festival celebrations.