Participants at a competition on the occasion of Maheshwari Mahatosav. Picture by Ashok Karan

Ranchi, June 9: Sewta Jajoo?s favourite breakfast is poha. ?It?s made out of suji and decorated with fresh coriander, tomatoes and green chillies and it?s very tasty,? she says, explaining its nutritional value.

Sewta is part of the Maheshwari Bhavan?s ongoing eight-day Maheshwari Mahatosav for women and children, which began on June 4. The festival marks the birth of the Maheswari caste 1200 years ago. Among the activities today, participants were asked to design a healthy breakfast and a lunch thali.

Next to Sewta, Sangeeta has prepared an elaborate lunch thali. ?I?ve got rice, three varieties of dal, dahi vada, salad, chapatis, curd and a few other things,? she says modestly.

There was a similar competition for the girls, who put together breakfasts such as fresh vegetable sandwich, sprouted moong salad, and parathas made with green vegetables.

In another event, 70 participants sat down for a jewellery designing competition. The task: sketch a design on art paper and embellish it with varieties of lentils according to the latest trends.

?It?s got to be chic,? says Seema, busy sticking lentils with adhesives. She has designed an oval-shaped necklace decorated with moong and masoor lentils.

Children were not left out. There was a table tennis (TT) competition which saw plenty of action. One of last year?s winners Nayan Bora, a Class IX student of St Thomas, has been playing TT regularly. ?I won third prize last year and I?ve been practising for two hours everyday,? says Nayan, adding that he was eyeing the top slot.

Akash Chitlangia of St Anthony?s bagged first prize in his school?s TT competition. He was also looking at winning the events.

There was a competition for young children who were asked to imitate animal noises. Events to be held over the next two days include a fashion show and painting contest.