1. It was when I and Deputy Chairman, Tourism Committee along with his team sat at a lovely restaurant in Tashkent, we started talking about vegan food. Mr. Shakhboz Saidkhanov, Director of the National PR Centre under Tourism Committee said he wanted more Indians to visit Uzbekistan and I happily informed him that several Indians especially the younger generation were increasingly embracing vegan choices and Indians visiting Uzbekistan were often seeking details on restaurants serving vegetarian / vegan food. It was that time around two months back, when the idea of organizing a vegan food festival was born. 2. The world food choices are changing rapidly. The vegan food market is over 22 billion USD and is growing at a rate of 10-12 percent. This is phenomenal. In India, the scale is massive and similar trend is also seen in other parts of the world. Healthier options such as almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, vegan butter, and plant-based cream are no longer speciality products— they are becoming part of everyday life for millions of people. Now what if we blend the growing demand for vegan food with the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda using local ingredients. The outcome is food which is delectable, healthy and also enjoyable. Uzbekistan with its pristine beauty and hospitality has attracted people from all over the world. It has an amazing culinary spread to offer. Who would not fall in love with Ikra – Baklajan simmered in tomato curry or honim. And let’s not forget the achichuk and warm non. But is that all for a vegan? Our chefs and experts who have curated the event today would say no with a capital N. 3. Let me make a prediction here. With the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, Tashkent has the potential to become the vegan capital of the region. Our aim is to simply highlight that there are enough food choices for everyone, to use local ingredients and to bring in the healing touch of Ayurveda which is not new to the Uzbeks. Mr. Ibn Sina in his book “Canon of Medicine” had written about the Indian traditional system of healing. 4. Food is one of the most powerful expressions of culture. It brings people together, tells the story of our traditions, and creates lasting connections. India and Uzbekistan have shared culinary traditions for centuries. Whether it is pulao or pilaf, samosa or samsa, naan or non; our cuisines remind us of the close age old links between our people. Today, we not only celebrate these shared traditions but will also talk about an already familiar lifestyle. Both Ibn Sina and Ayurveda tell that our health begins with the food we eat. Also, friends, as they say in Uzbekistan "Dasturxon – do'stlik ramzi", the dining table is a symbol of friendship. Today’s event is also dedicated to our friendship. By the way, I have in last two years seen vegetarian and vegan space expand in Uzbekistan particularly Tashkent. The number of “my go to” places for a vegan decaf cappuccino in the morning have immensely grown in the last 2 years. 5. Uzbekistan has one of the richest culinary traditions in Central Asia and is blessed with outstanding agricultural products be it almonds, walnuts, fruits, vegetables, grains or legumes. We have also had conversations with some Indian investors, many of whom see great potential in Uzbekistan's food-processing sector. Demand for plant-based products continues to grow across the world and with its excellent agricultural resources, talented people, and strategic location, Uzbekistan has every opportunity to become not just a consumer, but a leading regional producer and supplier of high-quality plant-based foods. Special thanks to Ambassador Timothy Smart and his wife Ms. Veronica with whom I share passion for vegetarian food. My very very special thanks to the curator of the event Dr Nikhila, an Ayurveda expert and a woman of tremendous talent and grace, to the Tourism Committee and Farovon Hotel, to the Indian and Uzbek chefs and most importantly to all of you. 6. Let’s enjoy the spread of healthy delicacies today. Thank you.