Co-op conference aims to involve 10 crore people: Sanghani

The Core Committee, formed by the NCUI to plan for the mega Co-op Conference in Delhi, met at the NCUI headquarters on Monday and discussed the shape and contour of the proposed event. Amit Shah is slated to be the Chief Guest.

Reiterating that the program would be one of its own kind in the history of the cooperative sector, NCUI President Dileep Sanghani said invitations are being sent through emails that contain a bar code. “One can gain entry only when this bar code matches with that of Security agencies at the entry gates of Indraprastha Indoor Stadium; just as it happens at airports”, said Sanghani hinting at tight security arrangements made for India’s Home Minister’s participation at the show.

But those who come without a pass have not to worry as huge tents with equally huge TV screens would be placed in the Stadium campus to show everything that happens at the stage, said Sanghani expecting more turnout than the invitee list of 2500. There would be tea and snacks at such tents also, he added.

The program would also be different in terms of its reach as about 10 crore members from the co-operative sector are going to be part of the event virtually, announced Sanghani. “We are working out on technology and seeking media cooperation so that the event is broadcast live to more than 10 crore people; the IFFCO IT team is at work”, he stated.

Monday’s meeting saw participation by all the members. While GCMMF Managing Director R S Sodhi and NAFSCOB Chairman Ravindra Rao were virtually connected, the rest of the members including Dileep Sanghani, Dr U S Awasthi, Chandra Pal, Bijender Singh, Jyotindra Mehta, Ramesh Vaidya, and IFFCO’s Yogendra Kumar were physically present.

This conference’s highlight would be the participation by cooperatives from the village level to the national level with special emphasis on weaker co-operatives. It will have representatives from every sector of co-op business including Fisheries, dairy, weaver, sugar, urban co-op banks, co-op banks, fertilizer co-ops, etc.

As to who all will sit at the dais with the Minister, NCUI has sent a list to the Ministry. “Generally speaking Chairmen and MDs of national co-op federations would be accommodated on the dais”, said Sanghani. Sanghani also informed that NCUI has already sent a list of 1800 participants to the Ministry.

Though the stadium has a capacity of 5000, it is expected that about 2500 delegates would be accommodated given Covid restrictions. There would also be elaborate arrangements for media persons as media is also expected to telecast the event live to about 10 crore people. While IFFCO is taking care of the logistics, NCUI is deciding whom to invite.