Chandigarh, Nov 17 (IANS) With the aim of popularising honey and increasing its consumption among masses, the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC)-Punjab launched various awareness activities in this union territory, as part the 'Honey Week' which began Tuesday.

'We have planned several activities for schools, colleges, the Panjab University, residential societies and some ladies clubs of Chandigarh. We will distribute awareness literature portraying honey as a product 'beyond medicine',' said N.S. Tomar, state director (Punjab and Chandigarh) of KVIC, while talking to reporters here Monday.

He added: 'Although we are one of the biggest producers of honey in the world, our per capita consumption of honey is very low compared to the European countries. Therefore, we will motivate people to adopt honey by educating them about its nutritious value as compared to normal sugar.'

'Honey Week' will be held here Nov 17-23 and the event is being supported by Kashmir Apiary and Regional Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (RCRD), Chandigarh.

'We will display honey products at most frequented locations in this city. We will conduct cookery classes for women, teaching them how to prepare an assortment of recipes like cakes, chocolates, biscuits and various other things from honey,' stated Tomar.

After Chandigarh, similar programmes will be conducted at various other towns of the region, he pointed out.