PAU commemorates world entrepreneurs’ day, empowers women via culinary skills

Ludhiana, August 21, 2023: Commemorating World Entrepreneurs’ Day on August 21, a five-day training course on “Empowering Women through Culinary Skills for Entrepreneurship Development” kick started in the Department of Food and Nutrition, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU). The programme has been organized in collaboration with Air Force Families Welfare Association (AFFWA), Halwara and involves the participation of total 25 Sanginis (ladies) from Air Force Station, Halwara. It aims to create awareness about entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership in addition to honoring the hard work and dedication of entrepreneurs, who play a key role to develop ideas and solutions to the problems while creating new products.

Dr Kiranjot Sidhu, Dean, College of Community Science, appreciated the efforts made by the department. She said: “Empowering women is an indispensable tool for advancing development and reducing poverty. Empowered women contribute to the health, education and productivity of the families and communities. A self-reliant woman can be a role model for her own children by assuring them safe future, and other women as well.” She emphasized that full participation and partnership of both men and women are required in maintaining financial responsibilities of the household.

In her welcome remarks, Dr Kiran Grover, Head, Department of Food and Nutrition, PAU, shared that a unique combination of culinary and enterprise will equip the participants with better knowledge to work skillfully. Elaborating the details of the program, she said that the training will focus on imparting knowledge on the development of functional foods, food safety and hygiene practices, Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI), and packaging, labeling, storage, pricing and marketing of the products. The participants will also be given hands on training on converting art of baking and cooking into business, preparation of value added indigenous products of millets, preserved products from fruits and vegetables, decoration of food items and presentation techniques, she added.

Dr Ramandeep Singh, Director, School of Business Studies, PAU, interacted and motivated the participants to develop entrepreneurial skills. He emphasized on innovation, self - motivation and risk taking abilities to become business leaders. He also gave an overview of marketing practices, products and packaging, product branding and labeling, standardization and bar code.

Dr Neerja Singla and Dr Poonam Bakhetia, Coordinators of the training, shared the successful running of Experiential Learning Unit in Bakery and Confectionery in the department, where the students are empowered for entrepreneurship.

Expert Dr Shruti Jain conducted various sessions of the training and proposed a vote of thanks.