As part of the Republic Day celebrations, Bihar will showcase its superfood ‘makhana’ in the state tableau at Bharat Parv this year, highlighting its superfood’s journey from local to global.
Bihar’s makhana journey from local to global to shine at Republic Day's Bharat Parv
As part of the Republic Day celebrations, Bihar will showcase its superfood ‘makhana’ in the state tableau at Bharat Parv this year, highlighting its superfood’s journey from local to global.
Bharat Parv is organised by the Ministry of Defence from 23 to 31 January as part of the Republic Day celebrations at the Red Fort, New Delhi. It includes selected tableaus from different states and union territories, highlighting the unique identity of states with the spirit of “Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat.” It is a display of the varied cultural, economic and social aspects through tableaux, handicrafts, food and traditions. It is a national platform to connect traditional knowledge, sources of livelihood and the journey of modern development.
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A poem by Acharya Somdev (Gauri Shankar Prasad Srivastava), ‘पग पग पोखड़ि माछ मखान, सरस बोल मस्की मखु पान…,” gives a wonderful interpretation of Mithila and Makhana.
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Often called as Bihar’s white gold, makhana, today emerges from the ponds of Mithila with the identity of ‘superfood.’ It is being served on the world’s plate. This is the global face of local talent.
Makhana, also known as fox nut or lotus seed, originated from the ponds of Mithila and now has achieved global recognition. India contributes the majority of the world’s total makhana supply, with Bihar accounting for approximately 85-90 per cent of this supply. Mithila Makhana also received the GI tag in 2022, giving it a unique identity in the global market.
Tableau of Bihar designed in two parts depicts the full journey of makhana:
The tableau brings to life traditional labour, women’s participation and local skills. It gives the message that Makhana is not just an agricultural product, but a symbol of heritage and hard work. It is a confluence of partnership and entrepreneurship, which directly connects Bihar to the global markets.
The Union Budget 2025-26 has taken a historic initiative for the makhana farmers of Bihar. The government has announced the establishment of National Makhana Board in Bihar and has allocated a development package worth Rs 475 crore. Its objective is to promote makhana production, processing, and ensure a sustainable increase in farmers’ income by strengthening value addition and marketing.
Makhana is extremely important not only economically but also nutritionally. It is rich in protein, calcium, fibre and antioxidants, helps in diabetes and weight control, and strengthens bones and muscles. It is a plant-based superfood with low calories and low fat.
Makhana has been a part of Indian religious rituals and traditional cuisine for centuries, and today it is recognised as a “superfood” in the modern health-conscious world.
This tableau from Bihar at Bharat Parv doesn’t just tell the story of Makhana, rather, it shows how traditional knowledge can be combined with modern technology and how local livelihoods can reach the global market. It shows that farmers, women workers and small entrepreneurs can become the main-stream of development.
Establishment of Makhana Board, increasing exports, GI tag and display of tableau in Bharat Parv – all these together enabled the success of makhana story in Bihar. The tableau reflects a message that makhana of Bihar is no longer just a “pond product” but “India’s global identity”.
Bihar’s tableau at Bharat Parv 2026 will showcase to the nation and the world how tradition, hard work and together with development made makhana go from local to global.
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