Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, outlined an ambitious roadmap for India’s development at the Global ESG Conclave 2025. He proposed establishing 500 Cooperative Startups, Campus Cooperatives, a Cooperative Commodities Exchange, and Cooperative Economic Zones to accelerate progress toward making India a developed nation by 2047.
Highlighting the potential of cooperatives, Athawale emphasized their role in fostering inclusivity, sustainability, and economic growth. Key initiatives include startups focusing on local challenges, campus cooperatives to nurture youth innovation, and a commodities exchange ensuring fair pricing for farmers. Cooperative Economic Zones aim to drive rural-urban integration and sustainable growth.
The conclave also emphasized the Social and Solidarity Economy, aligned with Sustainable Development Goals, particularly reducing inequality. Leaders like IFFCO Chairman Dileep Sanghani stressed the importance of cooperative solutions for global challenges, including climate change.
