Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on his recent visit to Europe, presented ‘Thekua,’ a popular sweet snack from Bihar, to Ruchard Rasi, the Speaker of Slovakia. This gesture has not only highlighted Indian cuisine and cultural heritage on a global platform but has also sparked enthusiasm among Thekua makers in Bihar for the snack’s international branding and popularity. The residents of Bihar are thrilled and proud of the recognition their traditional snack has received.
The exchange is viewed as a step towards showcasing Bihar’s cultural identity worldwide and supporting the “Vocal for Local” campaign, aiming to make Thekua a sought-after snack globally. Thekua producers and vendors in Bihar expressed joy and optimism about the bright future prospects for their businesses. Anil Kumar Thakur, a Thekua seller, emphasized the significance of this achievement, foreseeing a surge in demand for their product due to increased recognition abroad.
Shankar Shah, another Thekua maker, echoed the positive sentiment, anticipating business growth and potential exports to various countries. The residents of Bihar see the Prime Minister’s act of gifting Thekua as a milestone for their state’s culture and local products, drawing parallels to the success story of ‘jhalmuri’ during a previous visit to Bengal. Thekua, a traditional sweet treat from Bihar and Jharkhand, is known for its use of wheat flour, jaggery, fennel seeds, and ghee, typically prepared during festivals like Chhath Puja.
