On the 23rd Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial IFCCO Lecture, held on 19th November at NCUI Auditorium in Delhi Dr Karan Singh, scholar and statesman recounted the contributions of Pandit Nehru to the country in general and to cooperative movement in particular. Calling IFFCO as one of the finest cooperative institutions in the world he wondered at its network of 40 thousand members.
Farmers’ ills are being addressed by the IFFCO in a comprehensive manner-is a matter of great satisfaction, added Dr Karan Singh. Leading green revolution in the country IFFCO has indeed achieved great heights of excellence in the field of agriculture and farming.
Dr Singh wanted IFFCO to venture in the field of organic fertilizer and solar energy. “Using the platform of IFFCO I send my good wishes to the farmers of the nation”, said Dr Singh.
The occasion was graced by the who is who of the cooperative sector in India as IFFCO also announced the Sahakar Ratna and Sahakar Bandhu awards to Shri Mahendra Shastri and Shri O P Agrawal respectively for their eminent contribution to the field of cooperative movement.
Addressing the jam packed auditorium, Chairman of IFFCO Shri Surendra Kumar Jakhar said that since 1983 IFFCO is organizing Nehru Memorial Lecture and it is a tribute to the great leader Nehru who dreamt of changing India’s social and economic status through cooperation and cooperative movement. He felt proud of the fact that IFFCO is the only organization from India to be a member of International Cooperative Alliance (ICA).
Referring to proposed amendment to Multi State Cooperative Act, Shri Khakher said that IFFCO lends its full support to the amendments.
Shri U S Awasthi, Managing Director said that we do produce chemical fertilizer but our focus remains to be farmers. Referring to Save the Soil campaign he said that it has led to growth multiplication of 3 times for the farmers. Following Panditji’s vision IFFCO is trying to make cooperative as one’s way of life, said Dr Awasthi. Rural communication , insurance and dairy are some of the means through which we try to realize Panditji’s dream, said a proud MD.
Massages for the occasion from the President Pratibha Devisingh Patil, Vice President Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi, Shard Pawar and other leaders were also read out. They all wished great success to IFFCO.
Chan Ho Choi, Regional Director lauded IFFCO’S role while Sahakar Ratna and Sahakar Bandhu awardees thanked IFFCO for honouring them and leading the cooperative movement in India by front.
Mr Rakesh Kapoor, Joint MD gave a brief introduction of Dr Karan Singh while Shri Ghanshayam Das, Head PR proposed vote of thanks.
