On the occasion of International Women’s, a State Level Women Cooperative Seminar was organized under the aegis of Gujarat State Cooperative Union at H K College Campus, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad. The Seminar was presided over by Shri Ghanshyambhai Amin, Chairman of Gujarat State Cooperative Union.
Nafcub Director Alka Srivastava inaugurated the event in which Dr. Hema Yadav was the Chief Guest. Smt. Sangeeta Raiyani, District Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Ahmedabad and eminent experts Dr. Gayatri Singh, Ms. Mittalben Shah and Ms. Bhartiben Jeshvani was present on the occasion.
Presiding over the Seminar, G H Amin, presented the historical perspective of celebrating the International Women’s Day on 8th March stating that the Empowerment of Women is a subject of concern for the entire mankind.
The women have made progress in several fields. The educated women should not be disheartened, if they don’t get employment. They should be employers by joining with the Cooperative Sector and forming cooperative institutes, stated Amin.
Referring to the successful cooperatives like AMUL, SEWA and LIJJAT PAPAD, he stated that LIJJAT Papad had made humble beginnings with seven women and today it gives employment to 45,000 women. “There are more than 83,000 cooperative institutes and 1.5 Crores members are associated with them. AMUL collects 300 lacs litres of milk every day and this success is attributable to the women. SEWA has also formed various 80 Women Cooperative Societies” underlined Amin.
Referring to the rise of woman cab drivers through the cooperatives, Ms Alka Srivastava said each woman has to shoulder the responsibility of empowering herself and should cooperate with other women and should support one another to move ahead.
Releasing a Booklet on “Women Entrepreneurship”, Dr Hemaben Yadav said there is an immense significance of Cooperative Education for the empowerment of women. “We will have to discuss and deliberate on how to connect the cooperatives to technology. We have to put in efforts in encouraging and inspiring women to join the cooperatives, Hema underlined.
Smt. Sangeetaben Raiyani stated that age factor does not prevent women to forge ahead. “You simply will have to engage yourselves with determination and keep the goal in the mind”, she stressed.
Dr. Gayatri Singh, Professor of Barkatullah University, Bhopal guided the participants on psychological attributes and stated that women should raise their will power and self-confidence. Ms. Mittalben Shah, MD of Sewa Federation explained how to make women economically independent through cooperatives. She also informed about the formation of innovative cooperative societies.
Social Activist, Ms. Bhartiben Jeshvani guided on Cyber Crime and coached on social media skills. Ms. Bhavnaben Jadeja, the Chairperson of Women Committee of Gujarat State Cooperative Union, welcomed all the Guests.
Dr. Rajendrabhai Trivedi, Executive Officer of Gujarat State Cooperative Union proposed a vote of thanks. The entire function was anchored by Shri Alpeshbhai Raval, Principal of Gujarat Sahakari Vyavsthapan Kendra. This Seminar was attended by about 1,000 women representatives from various cooperative institutes of the State.
