Union Food Processing Minister Chirag Paswan on Thursday, 28 May 2026, issued a public advisory urging citizens to avoid unnecessary outings during the ongoing intense heatwave, take care of their families and children, and limit in-person visits to his ministry in New Delhi in favour of phone contact.

What the Minister Said

Posting in Hindi on X, Paswan wrote: 'साथियों, इन दिनों गर्मी प्रचंड स्तर पर है' ('Friends, the heat these days is at a fierce level'). He asked people to avoid stepping out unnecessarily and to pay special attention to the health of their families and children during the summer months.

On school holidays, he appealed to parents to take children to their maternal and paternal grandparents' homes during the summer break — 'ननिहाल-ददिहाल' — so that children could spend time with extended family and absorb cultural values, family traditions, and a sense of heritage at close quarters. He also encouraged connecting children with nature during the vacation for better mental, social, and emotional development.

Animal Welfare and Civic Responsibility

Paswan extended his advisory beyond human welfare, urging citizens to look after animals and birds in their surroundings during the severe heat. He asked people to arrange shade and drinking water for them, describing it as a 'social and humanitarian responsibility.'

The appeal reflects a recurring thread in Indian public messaging during summer months, where civic duty towards stray animals and birds — particularly providing water pots on rooftops and in open spaces — is widely promoted by community groups and public figures alike.

Ministry Visit Advisory

Paswan specifically requested that people contact him and his office by telephone wherever possible and refrain from travelling to Delhi or visiting the ministry in person unnecessarily. This practical note signals an effort to reduce foot traffic at the Ministry of Food Processing Industries during peak summer conditions, easing both health risks and logistical load on visitors who may travel from distant states.

Central ministers issuing such seasonal advisories via social media has become a consistent pattern in Indian governance, often running alongside formal heatwave guidance from national agencies responsible for disaster management and meteorological forecasting.

Broader Context and What to Watch

India's northern and central plains regularly experience temperatures above 45 degrees Celsius in May and June, with heatwave conditions posing significant public health risks, particularly for children, the elderly, and outdoor workers. The summer of 2026 has seen intense heat across multiple states, prompting advisories at both central and state levels.

As the monsoon transition approaches, attention will remain on whether state governments activate or strengthen their heat action plans and whether the India Meteorological Department issues updated seasonal forecasts. Paswan's appeal, while not a formal policy directive, adds a ministerial voice to the broader public health messaging around summer safety — and his emphasis on cultural reconnection and nature exposure for children points to a wider conversation about holistic child development beyond screen time during school holidays.