New Delhi, October 16, 2026: The Global Trade & Technology Council (India) (GTTCI), in association with the Shri Dharmic Leela Committee, celebrated World Food Day 2026 at Madhavdas Park, Red Fort Grounds, New Delhi, with a focus on raising awareness about food security, food safety, and the importance of ensuring access to safe and nutritious food for all.
The celebration brought together distinguished diplomats, international representatives, and members of the organising committees on a common platform to highlight the importance of global cooperation in addressing food-related challenges. The initiative also reflected the role of India’s rich cultural traditions in promoting awareness of issues of international significance.
The Shri Dharmic Leela Committee, which has been staging the traditional Ramleela at the historic Red Fort for the past 103 years, provided a meaningful cultural platform for the observance. By integrating the message of World Food Day with one of India’s enduring cultural traditions, the initiative underscored how heritage, community participation, and international engagement can contribute to greater public awareness and shared responsibility towards food security.
Shri Dhiraj Dhar Gupta, General Secretary of the Shri Dharmic Leela Committee, along with Dr. Gaurav Gupta, Founder President of GTTCI, felicitated the attending diplomats and distinguished guests. The guests were honoured with a message emphasising the collective responsibility of governments, institutions, communities, and individuals to promote food safety and work towards a future where everyone has access to safe and nutritious food.
The event was graced by the Ambassador of the Republic of Chad, the Honorary Consul General of the Union of the Comoros, diplomats from the Embassies of China, Greece, Niger, and Nicaragua, and Dr. Benno Boer, Director of UNESCO in India. Prof. K. G. Suresh, Director of India Habitat Centre, also joined the celebrations. Members of the expatriate communities from Ethiopia, Iran, and Zambia participated in the occasion, further strengthening its international character and reflecting the spirit of cross-cultural engagement and global solidarity around the shared objective of food security for all.
Shri Pradeep Sharan, Secretary of the Shri Dharmic Leela Committee, along with other committee members, joined in honouring the distinguished guests and welcoming the participating diplomatic representatives. Their presence reflected the committee’s continued commitment to preserving India’s cultural heritage while encouraging meaningful engagement on contemporary global issues.
GTTCI Board Members Shri Kapil Khandelwal and Shri Sumit Verma also participated in the celebration, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to fostering international cooperation and bringing together diplomatic missions, industry stakeholders, and cultural institutions on platforms that advance shared global priorities.
World Food Day, observed annually on October 16, serves as an important reminder of the need to strengthen food systems, improve food safety, reduce food insecurity, and promote sustainable approaches to food production and distribution. The celebration at the Red Fort Grounds highlighted the importance of collective action and international collaboration in advancing these objectives.
Through this joint initiative, GTTCI and the Shri Dharmic Leela Committee sought to demonstrate how India’s cultural platforms can serve as avenues for raising awareness about global development priorities. The occasion combined the enduring values of Indian tradition with a universal message of solidarity, encouraging stakeholders across countries and communities to work together towards a world where safe, nutritious, and sufficient food is accessible to all.
The celebration concluded with a shared commitment to promoting awareness, strengthening international understanding, and advancing the common goal of food security for all.