Patna: The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) on Friday organized Aspirational East, a national seminar on startups, farmer-producer organizations (FPOs), and agri-business in Patna.
Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey attended as the chief guest, while Rajya Sabha MP Upendra Kushwaha was the guest of honour.
Dubey called agriculture “a national priority” and lauded ICSI for hosting the event in eastern India. “Company Secretaries can play a prominent role in developing start-ups and agri-based businesses, which can drive sustainable economic development,” he said.
Kushwaha emphasized agriculture as the backbone of India’s economy and urged Company Secretaries to support FPOs with professional oversight. “This seminar will inspire them to guide farmers towards sustainable and profitable practices,” he added.
The day-long discussions explored governance in FPOs, access to finance and policy support, and the role of technology and digitalization in agribusiness.
ICSI president CS Dhananjay Shukla linked the modern-day role of company secretaries to governance traditions from Vedic times. “As catalysts for sustainable development, they can steer aspirations of agri-business into real growth,” he said. Shukla also announced ICSI’s fee waiver scheme for students from armed forces backgrounds, martyrs’ families, and aspirants from Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and the North East.
