Chirag Paswan attends 'Enable to Empower' Charity Gala in Delhi
Synopsis
Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan attended the 'Enable to Empower' Charity Gala in New Delhi on October 26, 2026, jointly organised by Rasoi on Wheels Foundation and CII – Indian Women Network, celebrating self-employment as a tool for dignified livelihood creation.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Chirag Paswan was the chief guest at the 'Enable to Empower' Charity Gala in New Delhi on October 26, 2026 .
The event was jointly organised by Rasoi on Wheels Foundation and CII – Indian Women Network .
The gala focused on creating livelihood opportunities through self-employment and making underprivileged communities self-sufficient.
Paswan called self-reliance and self-respect through self-employment 'the true form of empowerment.' CII's Indian Women Network is a major industry platform for advancing women's professional participation across India.
Self-reliance took centre stage in New Delhi on Monday, October 26, 2026, as Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan graced the 'Enable to Empower' Charity Gala as chief guest — an event jointly organised by Rasoi on Wheels Foundation and the CII – Indian Women Network to champion livelihood creation and dignity through self-employment.
Sharing his experience on X, the minister wrote: 'Aatmanirbharta aur aatmasammaan ko badhawa dene waali is saraahneeya pahal ka hissa banne ka avsar mila' — ('I got the opportunity to be part of this commendable initiative that promotes self-reliance and self-respect'). He called self-employment-driven livelihood creation and making the underprivileged self-sufficient 'the true form of empowerment.'
What 'Rasoi on Wheels' and CII's Women Network are doing
Rasoi on Wheels Foundation works at the intersection of food and livelihoods, channelling the kitchen as a pathway to economic independence for marginalised communities. Its partner for the gala, the Confederation of Indian Industry's Indian Women Network, is one of India's most prominent industry platforms dedicated to advancing women's professional participation and leadership across sectors.
Together, the two organisations framed the charity event around a simple but potent proposition: that a job created through skill is worth more than a subsidy given without one. The gala brought that philosophy into a room of policy voices, industry leaders, and on-the-ground practitioners.
Where the Food Processing Ministry fits in
The appearance carries institutional resonance beyond protocol. Paswan's ministry oversees schemes that fund food-processing micro and small enterprises — a sector where women self-help groups and small vendors form the backbone of the supply chain. Union ministers routinely lend weight to such events, but a Food Processing Minister at a foundation built around mobile kitchens and self-employment is a pairing with natural policy logic.
Paswan also extended 'heartfelt congratulations and best wishes' to both organisations and everyone associated with the initiative, calling the effort 'sarthak' — meaningful.
India's broader push on self-employment — from street-food vendor formalisation to micro-enterprise credit — gives events like this a tail wind that extends well beyond any single evening's applause.
Point of View
Not merely an industrial regulator. With self-help groups and micro-enterprises forming the bedrock of India's food-processing informal sector, the ministry has a natural interest in platforms that formalise and dignify that labour. The event also signals CII's continued effort to bring policy weight into its women-empowerment agenda — a convergence of industry and government optics that the ruling coalition has actively cultivated ahead of state election cycles.
NationPress
26 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 'Enable to Empower' Charity Gala?
The 'Enable to Empower' Charity Gala is an event jointly organised by Rasoi on Wheels Foundation and CII – Indian Women Network, focused on promoting self-employment and livelihood creation for underprivileged communities.
Who is Chirag Paswan?
Chirag Paswan is India's Union Minister of Food Processing Industries and the national president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), a key NDA ally.
What does Rasoi on Wheels Foundation do?
Rasoi on Wheels Foundation works at the intersection of food and livelihoods, using culinary skills as a pathway to economic independence for marginalised communities.
What is the CII Indian Women Network?
The Confederation of Indian Industry's Indian Women Network is one of India's most prominent industry platforms dedicated to advancing women's professional participation and leadership.
When and where was the 'Enable to Empower' Charity Gala held?
The gala was held on Monday, October 26, 2026, in New Delhi.
