The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), a statutory body under the Department of Commerce, successfully concluded its inaugural National Skill Olympiad focused on seafood value addition on July 1, 2025, at the Seafood Expo Bharat in Chennai. The Olympiad, designed to promote value addition in seafood exports and cultivate a skilled workforce, saw Thanseer K R of Abad Foods, Kerala, emerge as the winner, receiving a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000. Balamurugan I from Edhayam Frozen Foods Pvt Ltd, Tamil Nadu, secured second place (Rs 75,000), while Ms. Sandya Rani Palaparthi from Coastal Cooperation Ltd, Andhra Pradesh, and Ms. D. Anitha from Sandhya Aqua Exports Pvt Ltd, also from Andhra Pradesh, secured third (Rs 50,000) and fourth (Rs 25,000) positions, respectively. Preliminary skill tests were conducted across the East and West coasts of India in Kochi (May 29) and Visakhapatnam (June 5), leading to a semi-final round (June 30) and the final competition among four seafood processing professionals. Finalists were evaluated on quality, hygiene, execution, and presentation. MPEDA intends to make this an annual event, with the goal of positioning India as a global hub for value-added seafood exports. The event was attended by fisheries officials, seafood exporters, and foreign buyers.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce Industry: The Indian government ministry responsible for international trade and industry.
MPEDA: The Marine Products Export Development Authority, a statutory organization under the Department of Commerce, promoting seafood exports.
National Skill Olympiad: A skill competition focused on seafood value addition, organized by MPEDA.
Thanseer K R: The winner of the inaugural National Skill Olympiad from Abad Foods, Kerala.
Kerala: The state in India where Thanseer K R is from and where Abad Foods Malipuram is located.
Seafood Expo Bharat: An event where the final round of the National Skill Olympiad took place in Chennai.
Chennai, Tamil Nadu: The city and state in India where the Seafood Expo Bharat was held and the final round of the National Skill Olympiad took place.
Shri Hibi George Eden: Member of Parliament and Authority Member of MPEDA, who announced the awards at the National Skill Olympiad.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
MPEDA Organises First National Skill Olympiad to
Promote Seafood Value Addition
Trained Professionals Undergo Skill Evaluation for
Seafood Olympiad Finale
Thanseer K R of Abad Foods from Kerala Emerges
Winner
Posted On: 01 JUL 2025 8:03PM by PIB Delhi
The Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA) organised the grand finale of the inaugural
National Skill Olympiad on seafood value addition today at the Seafood Expo Bharat in Chennai. MPEDA is
a statutory organisation under administrative control of Department of Commerce. The Olympiad, a
pioneering initiative by MPEDA, was launched to promote value addition in seafood exports and create a
skilled workforce in the sector. In a closely contested final round, Thanseer K R of Abad Foods Malipuram,
Kerala, was adjudged the winner. The awards were announced by Member of Parliament and Authority
Member of MPEDA, Shri Hibi George Eden, and Chairman, MPEDA Shri D. V. Swamy.
As a precursor to the event, MPEDA conducted skill tests for trained professionals across the East and West
coasts of India. The preliminary rounds were held in Kochi (West Coast Zone) on 29 May and inVisakhapatnam (East Coast Zone) on 5 June. Ten semi-finalists competed on 30 June, from whom four were
selected for the final round.
A total of four trained seafood processing professionals competed in the final round of the Olympiad.
Balamurugan I from Edhayam Frozen Foods Pvt Ltd, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu secured the second position. Ms
Sandya Rani Palaparthi from Coastal Cooperation Ltd, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh stood third, while Ms D.
Anitha from Sandhya Aqua Exports Pvt Ltd, Kakinada secured the fourth position. The finalists were
evaluated on parameters such as quality, hygiene, execution, and presentation.
The winner received a cash prize of Rs 1,00,000. The second and third positions carried prize money of Rs
75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. A consolation prize of Rs 25,000 was awarded for the fourth position. All
four finalists were also presented with medals and certificates.
Shri Hibi Eden appreciated MPEDA’s initiative in conducting the Olympiad and taking seafood value
addition to new heights. Shri D. V. Swamy commended the participants for their skill and commitment and
noted that the Olympiad is a novel effort aimed at making India a global hub for value-added seafood exports.
He added that MPEDA plans to make the Olympiad an annual event.The finale was attended by stakeholders including officials from the Central and State fisheries departments,
seafood exporters, foreign buyers, and other delegates of Seafood Expo Bharat 2025.
Seafood products prepared by the finalists were displayed for public viewing, and a tasting session was held at
the MPEDA Skill Olympiad pavilion.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas(Release ID: 2141360)