The Ministry of Food Processing Industries organized an 'Aashirwad Ka Diya' programme at Niyojan Bhawan, District Collector's Office in Thane as part of the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan–Seva Diwas initiative on September 17, 2026. The event brought together farmers, FPO members, women beneficiaries, entrepreneurs, food-processing units, and departmental representatives.
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries Chirag Paswan interacted directly with beneficiaries of various ministry initiatives including PMFME, PMKSY, and PLI schemes. The minister listened to their experiences and enquired about the impact of government support on their businesses and livelihoods, including employment opportunities generated through their projects. The programme was also attended by Member of Parliament Naresh Maske, Thane Deputy Mayor Krushna Patil, Joint Secretary Preet Pal Singh, Thane Collector Krishna Panchal, Zilla Parishad CEO Ranjit Yadav, and other senior officials.
The event highlighted the immense potential of India's food-processing sector, noting the country's strong and diverse agricultural production base that creates significant scope for processing, preservation, and value addition. The programme emphasized the need to build a strong integrated value chain connecting farmers, FPOs, entrepreneurs, processors, industry, and markets.
The 'Aashirwad Ka Diya' lighting ceremony served as the central feature, symbolizing hope, opportunity, confidence, and self-reliance for beneficiaries. Participants shared how government initiatives helped them strengthen enterprises, create employment, and move toward economic self-reliance. Maharashtra's contribution to food processing initiatives was acknowledged, with the minister expressing pleasure at interacting with beneficiaries from the state.
The event reinforced the message that public service purpose is realized when government opportunities translate into enterprise, employment, value addition, and better livelihoods, representing a vision to transform India's agricultural strength into greater value and new opportunities.