ESAF Swasraya Multi-State Agro Cooperative Society, in partnership with Kerala Agricultural University and the College of Cooperation, Banking and Management, organized the 72nd All India Cooperative Week and the Closing Ceremony of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025 last week at the Central Library Seminar Hall, KAU Campus, Vellanikkara.
Smt. Saleena George, Chairperson of Esaf Cooperative, presided over the function. The event was graced by Smt. Monika Khanna, Joint Registrar, Central Registrar of Cooperative Societies and Member of the Cooperative Election Authority, New Delhi, who attended as the Chief Guest.
In her address, Smt. Khanna commended ESAF Cooperative for its notable contributions to the cooperative sector and emphasized the Central Government’s efforts to empower cooperatives as catalysts of national development.
Dr. K. Paul Thomas, Founder of the ESAF Group of Social Enterprises, delivered the keynote address. An expert session on the theme “Cooperatives as Vehicles for Atmanirbhar Bharat” was led by Dr. E. G. Ranjith Kumar, Dean, Faculty of BSH and Director, ABM, Kerala Agricultural University.
Mr. George Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of ESAF Cooperative, extended a warm welcome to the gathering. Felicitations were offered by Roy K. Devassy, President, Pananchery Marketing Cooperative Society; T. K. Porinchu, President, Thrissur District Cooperative Hospital; and Rajendran M. V., President, Thrissur Paddy Farm Producer Company Limited. The vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Jacob Samuel, Vice Chairperson.
As part of the Cooperative Week celebrations, an essay competition based on the theme was conducted for students. Shemitha A. B. from Cooperative Arts & Science College, Thrissur won the first prize, while the second prize was secured by Amshitha A. S. of the College of Cooperation, Banking & Management, KAU Vellanikkara. The third prize went to Malavika P. S. of St. Thomas College, Thrissur.
In the employee-level essay competition, the winners were Anuja S. S., Suni Samuel, Lourdu Mahima, and Nilina Baby. Prizes and certificates were distributed by Alok Paul, Managing Director, CERAR.
