Chennai (Tamil Nadu):

A 13-year-old school student set a world record by painting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s portrait for 12 hours non-stop using 800 kg of millets.

Presley Shekinah unveiled the World’s Largest Millet Painting, a tribute to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his birthday on September 17.

Presley Shekinah is the daughter of Pratap Selvam and Sankeerani (Mother), who are living in the Kolpakkam area, Chennai. Presley Shekinah is studying in class 8 in a private school (Vellammal School, Chennai.

Shekinah drew a huge portrait of PM Modi in 600 square feet using 800 kg millets. She completed her attempt after 12 hours of hard work. The 13-year-old started at 8.30 am and completed it at 8.30 pm.

Presley has been recognised by the UNICO World Record and this has been registered under the student achievement category. R Sivaraman, director of UNICO World Records, honoured the Presley Shekinah with a world record certificate and medal.

The school administrator, principal, parents, and relatives also appreciated the achievement of the young girl.

Considering the increase in the cultivation of millets, the Centre may soon announce a benchmark price for minor millets produced in various States. The Centre said it would help States to procure and distribute millets through the public distribution system. At present, millets such as jowar, bajra and ragi are procured by nine States with a minimum support price (MSP) announced by the Centre. Minor millets are not procured at the moment.

Additional Secretary in the Food Ministry Subodh Kumar Singh said procurement of millets with MSP was increasing. “Agriculture and Food Ministries are working together to fix a benchmark price for the minor millets. We want the production of minor millets to increase. If the benchmark price is assured, we hope their production will increase,” Mr. Singh said.

He said the Centre had taken steps to sell millets along with foodgrains through fair price shops. “It will be decided by the States according to the demand and procurement,” Mr. Singh said, adding that the shelf life of millets was less and that was why the Centre was requesting States to directly procure and sell millets through the PDS. “It will help small and marginal farmers who are cultivating millets. It will be beneficial for the people of respective States considering the nutritional quality of millets,” he added.

Financial assistance

The procurement and distribution of millets of the last kharif season is under way. “Several States have come forward to procure and distribute millets. For example, procurement of ragi in Karnataka has been very good. The State has procured 5 Lakh Metric Tonnes (LMT) of ragi and will distribute it along with the foodgrains. The market price is less than MSP in millets like ragi. We are providing financial assistance to States for procurement and distribution of millets and coarse grains,” he said. Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu are buying and distributing millets at the moment. “We have requested Rajasthan to procure bajra and distribute it through the PDS,” he said.

In 2021-22, the nine States had procured 6.5 LMT millets. “In 2022-23, as of now, Karnataka alone has decided to procure 7 LMT of millets. Overall, 7.5 LMT has been procured in the country. Our target is to increase the production of millets in the future,” he added.