BABEETTA SAXENA’S LEGACY, FUELS A NATIONWIDE MOVEMENT TO PRESERVE INDIA’S TRADITIONAL RECIPES: A REFT Today Report.

Tuesday,14/June/2026: The remarkable legacy of late Mrs. Babeetta Saxena continues to inspire India’s hospitality, culinary and cultural landscape through the ever-growing success of ‘Kahin Gum Na Ho Jayein’ series, a unique national initiative dedicated to preserving traditional recipes and safeguarding the country’s rich culinary heritage. The vision behind this movement came into renewed focus during a recent interaction at the Institute of Hotel Management (IHM) Mumbai where hospitality professionals, academicians and industry veterans gathered for a culinary festival celebrating regional flavours. It was during the event that Col. Atul Saxena shared the inspiring journey of the initiative founded by his late wife whose lifelong commitment to storytelling, education and cultural preservation continues to influence chefs, hospitality institutions and food enthusiasts across India. What began as a deeply personal mission has today evolved into one of the country’s most significant culinary heritage movements bringing together renowned chefs, hospitality educators, students and cultural ambassadors to revive forgotten recipes before they disappear forever. The initiative stands as a powerful reminder that food is not merely nourishment but an enduring expression of history, identity and tradition passed from one generation to another.

Late Mrs. Babbeeta Saxena ji performed at the stage of Kahin gum na ho jaein.

At the heart of this extraordinary journey was Mrs. Babeetta Saxena, a distinguished life coach, motivational speaker, educator, media professional and cultural advocate whose diverse career reflected her passion for empowering society. Armed with academic qualifications in Economics, Anthropology and English Literature along with studies at Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, she built an impressive professional journey spanning journalism, education, broadcasting and entrepreneurship. Her experience included working with leading media organisations, serving as a sub-editor, radio and television anchor, educator at reputed institutions and founder of Rituraag Natural Skin Hair Body Care Solutions where she also promoted sustainable and eco-conscious living. Through her NGO Let’s Give Back she envisioned a platform that would preserve Indian traditions while encouraging education and community development. Inspired by childhood stories narrated by her grandmother, she conceptualised ‘Kahin Gum Na Ho Jayein’ with the objective of documenting India’s disappearing culinary treasures and encouraging communities to celebrate their cultural identity through authentic regional recipes. Following her untimely demise during the COVID-19 pandemic, Col. Atul Saxena assumed the responsibility of carrying forward her dream with unwavering dedication transforming the initiative into a nationwide movement that continues to inspire India’s hospitality fraternity.

Late Mrs. Babbeeta Saxena ji with her husband Col. Atul Saxena ji also, know as the backbone of his wife’s left out dreams.

Today ‘Kahin Gum Na Ho Jayein’ has emerged as one of India’s most respected culinary heritage platforms with preparations already underway for its highly anticipated ninth season. The upcoming edition is expected to expand across 20 Indian states along with international participation from the United States, Canada and New Zealand reflecting the growing global interest in India’s traditional food heritage. The initiative enjoys the encouragement of eminent personalities including Padma Shri awardees, celebrated chefs, hospitality educators, cultural leaders and more than 120 chefs from across the country. Several institutes of Hotel Management have joined as hospitality partners while the movement also receives encouragement from senior policymakers committed to promoting India’s tourism and cultural legacy. More than a culinary competition the initiative serves as a national mission to document indigenous recipes, honour forgotten food traditions and inspire future generations to preserve India’s gastronomic identity. As India’s hospitality industry increasingly embraces authentic regional cuisines and sustainable food narratives ‘Kahin Gum Na Ho Jayein’ continues to establish itself as a benchmark for culinary preservation ensuring that priceless recipes, cultural stories and traditional knowledge remain alive for generations to come while reinforcing India’s position as one of the world’s richest culinary destinations.

INPUTS AND PICTURE COURTESY BY:

Col. Atul Saxena.

A REFT Today Report.

𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐀𝐈𝐃 𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖𝐒, 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐀𝐂𝐓: +𝟗𝟏-𝟕𝟗𝟎𝟓 𝟔𝟏𝟑 𝟑𝟓𝟎/ +𝟗𝟏-𝟗𝟖𝟎𝟕 𝟐𝟐𝟒 𝟐𝟓𝟓.