Youth Should Become Job Creators, Not Job Seekers
Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, Chirag Paswan, today said that India’s food processing sector offers immense opportunities and has the potential to play a major role in generating employment, promoting entrepreneurship, strengthening farmers’ incomes and enhancing India’s global presence. Shri Paswan is the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, while Shri Avinash Joshi is the Secretary of the Ministry.
Addressing the 7th Convocation of the National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management, Kundli (NIFTEM-K), Shri Paswan urged graduating students not to restrict themselves to becoming job seekers, but to emerge as job creators, innovators and solution providers. NIFTEM-K’s official portal also identifies the 2026 event as its 7th Convocation.A total of 260 students received degrees at the Convocation, comprising 140 B.Tech., 78 M.Tech., 18 MBA and 24 Ph.D. students. Eight meritorious students were awarded Gold Medals in recognition of their academic excellence and dedication.
Secretary, Ministry of Food Processing Industries, Avinash Joshi, highlighted the wider role of food processing in reducing food wastage, enhancing nutrition and value addition, creating livelihood opportunities and encouraging entrepreneurship.
Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairman, Board of Governors, NIFTEM-K, emphasised that the knowledge and skills acquired by students should contribute not only to their individual careers but also to the progress of the country and society.
IFTEM-K Director Dr. Harinder Singh Oberoi said that the Institute has made significant progress in academics, research, infrastructure and industry partnerships. Dr. Oberoi is currently listed as Director, NIFTEM-K, on the Institute’s official website
Dr. R. S. Sodhi, President (Food and Agriculture), Reliance Retail Ltd., said that this was one of the most opportune times for professionals to enter India’s food sector.
Deepak Agarwal, Chairman and Managing Director, Bikaji Foods International Limited, encouraged graduating students to make full use of emerging opportunities in the food industry and described them as the future of the sector.(UPDATED ON 9TH OCTOBER 2026)
