A big step towards giving global recognition to Himachal’s street food: Suresh Kashyap
Shri Suresh Kumar Kashyap, Honorable Member of Parliament, Shimla Parliamentary Constituency, Bharatiya Janata Party, said that Indian street food is not only a source of livelihood but also a powerful symbol of the country’s diverse culture and “unity in diversity.” He said that nowhere else in the world can street food be found as diverse and rich as India’s. The cuisines of the east, west, north, and south of the country have their own distinct identities and reflect their regional cultures.
Mr. Kashyap expressed these views while addressing as the Chief Guest at the Street Food Vendor Training and Awareness Workshop held at Himachal Pradesh University, Summer Hill, Shimla on December 23, 2025. The workshop was organized by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), Northern Region Office, Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh), and coordinated by the Directorate of Health Safety and Regulation.
The Vice Chancellor of Himachal Pradesh University, Prof. Mahavir Singh, Ankesh Mishra, Virendra Chauhan, Jitendra Sanjhata and many other dignitaries were specially present in the program.
MP Suresh Kashyap congratulated the organizers on the successful workshop, saying that Himachal Pradesh has a rich culture and its street food has its own unique identity. Street food is not only a means of service but also a strong livelihood for thousands of families. Conducting such training programs periodically is a great benefit to street vendors.
He said that through this training, street vendors have learned to pay special attention to cleanliness, quality, personal hygiene, and the cleanliness of their carts. It is crucial to ensure food quality and consumer health to prevent illness.
Referring to the schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the welfare of street vendors, Mr. Kashyap said that the Pradhan Mantri Swa-Nidhi Yojana is proving to be a boon for street vendors. Under this scheme, loans ranging from 10,000 to 50,000 rupees are available without guarantee at an annual interest rate of only 7 percent, which vendors should definitely take advantage of. In addition, the Vishwakarma Yojana and self-employment-based schemes are also benefiting millions of people.
He said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, technology is being made accessible to every citizen of the country. Through digital payments, start-ups, and self-employment schemes, youth today are becoming job creators rather than job seekers. The country’s economy is growing rapidly, and today India has become the world’s fourth largest economy. The goal of a developed India by 2047 will be realized under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership.
At the end of the program, MP Suresh Kashyap distributed certificates to the trained street vendors. Those receiving the certificates included Ram Dev Chauhan, Bharat Singh, Rameshwar, Ram Vishnu, Ram Shankar, and Rakesh.
Sunil Choupal, a vendor who runs a Momo stall near Sita Ripon Hospital, shared his experience during the training and said that he got important information about paying special attention to cleanliness and quality of food.
BJP leaders Kamaljeet Sood, Keshav Chauhan, Karan Nanda, Rama Thakur, Gaurav Kashyap, Rohit Thakur, Jitendra Thakur and a large number of party workers and street vendors were present in the program.
