# Thekua and Kalakand Made From Makhana in Katihar, Bihar, Bringing a New Taste Through Sumit Sehgal's Initiative > Makhana-based sweets like Kalakand, barfi, peda, gajak, and thekua are now being prepared in Katihar, Bihar. Started through Zeta Lake Organisation, this initiative involves over 500 farmers and 50 local women. **Type:** article · **Category:** Food · **Published:** 2026-11-08 · **Source:** TrendKia **Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/food/bihar-ke-katihar-mein-makhana-se-ban-rahi-hain-thekua-aur-kalakand-jaisi-mithaiyan-sumit-sehgal-ki-pehal-se-mil-raha-hai-naya-swad-57832 · **Language:** English **Tags:** Makhana, Katihar, Bihar, Makhana Sweets, Sumit Sehgal, Zeta Lake Organisation, Business In Katihar, located near Patna, makhana is no longer restricted to traditional kheer or other conventional dishes. An innovative initiative has been launched to bring its sweetness and nutritional benefits to people in a completely fresh format. Sweets and products such as kalakand, barfi, peda, gajak, thekua, and sattu are now being crafted from makhana. The most notable aspect of this venture is the active participation of local women in manufacturing these items. Sumit Sehgal from Katihar is working towards the value addition of makhana through his company, Zeta Lake Organisation. ## The Unique Beginning With Makhana Jalebi This initiative originally started with the creation of makhana jalebi. Sumit shares that makhana jalebi was produced for the first time in Katihar by his company. Following this, work began on developing various other makhana sweets. Now, his team prepares multiple traditional and novel-flavored products using makhana. Throughout this endeavor, they have received consistent guidance and support from ATMA and agriculture department officials. ## Blending Traditional Flavors With Purity The products being crafted by Zeta Lake Organisation include makhana barfi, kalakand, thekua, gajak, and peda. In addition to these, a nutritious sattu is prepared using makhana and gram. Curd is used in makhana kalakand to impart a rich flavor and a mild tanginess. Pure ingredients and traditional sweet-making methods are strictly followed while preparing these items. Pure ghee and makhana are utilized in making makhana barfi. Their core objective is to introduce people to a novel taste of makhana-based sweets so that they carve out a distinct identity in the market. ## Connecting Over 500 Farmers and 50 Women A significant highlight of this initiative is the strong involvement of farmers and women. Sumit states that his FPO, or Farmer Producer Organisation, is connected with more than 500 people. Furthermore, around 50 women are engaged in producing sweets and other items derived from makhana. All of these women are residents of Katihar. Thus, this value addition of makhana is actively generating employment and self-employment opportunities at the local level. ## Pricing of Makhana Sweets in the Market The prices of these special makhana-based products have been set accordingly. The price of makhana barfi has been fixed at 800 rupees per kilo. Makhana thekua is available at 1000 rupees per kilo, while makhana kalakand is priced between 900 and 1000 rupees per kilo. The price of makhana peda is kept at around 180 to 200 rupees. Additionally, 100 grams of makhana sattu costs between 70 and 100 rupees. Sumit points out that their current goal is not immediate high profits, but rather letting people taste these new makhana products and establishing their market presence. ## Preparing for Online Market Expansion Currently, Zeta Lake Organisation is working extensively on expanding and marketing these products. Sumit mentions that the company is soon preparing to launch online sales for its offerings. Their constant effort is to put the online sales system in place by next month. ## What this means for you The introduction of innovative makhana-based products is creating fresh employment opportunities for local farmers and women at the grassroots level. - **In Katihar and Bihar:** Local farmers and around 50 women are receiving direct livelihood opportunities through this manufacturing initiative. Sumit Sehgal's Farmer Producer Organisation is connected with more than 500 individuals. - **Across India:** Makhana consumers now get to experience novel tastes like barfi, kalakand, thekua, and peda alongside traditional dishes. With upcoming online sales, customers nationwide will be able to purchase these items easily. - **Product Pricing:** Makhana barfi is priced at 800 rupees per kilo, makhana thekua at 1000 rupees per kilo, and makhana kalakand between 900 and 1000 rupees per kilo. Makhana peda costs around 180 to 200 rupees, while 100 grams of makhana sattu ranges from 70 to 100 rupees. - **Purity and Quality:** Pure ingredients and traditional methods like using pure ghee are maintained during production, ensuring consumers receive high-quality nutritious snacks. ## Why this happened This innovative step of preparing various sweets from makhana in Katihar was undertaken to promote crop value addition and generate local employment. - **Makhana Value Addition:** The initiative was launched to derive higher economic benefits through food processing rather than selling raw agricultural produce. - **Departmental Support:** Continuous guidance and technical cooperation are being provided by ATMA and agriculture department officials. - **Women Empowerment:** Local women of Katihar have been integrated into the manufacturing process to make them self-reliant. - **Market Expansion:** Plans have been laid out to take these makhana products beyond local boundaries to national markets via online sales. ## Questions & Answers ### 1. What new sweets are being prepared from makhana? Kalakand, barfi, peda, gajak, thekua, and sattu are being prepared from makhana. ### 2. Which organization is led by Sumit Sehgal for this initiative? Sumit Sehgal is carrying out this work through his company Zeta Lake Organisation. ### 3. What are the market prices of makhana barfi and thekua? Makhana barfi is priced at 800 rupees per kilo, and makhana thekua costs 1000 rupees per kilo. ### 4. How many farmers and women are involved in this work? More than 500 farmers and around 50 local women from Katihar are involved in this initiative. ### 5. What is used to bring tanginess to makhana kalakand? Curd is used in makhana kalakand to provide a rich flavor and mild tanginess. ### 6. When is the online sale of these products expected to start? The company is making efforts to launch the online sales system by next month. --- _TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.. Machine-readable view; canonical HTML at the URL above._