In an event held at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the initiative to establish Campus Cooperatives, as advocated by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, gained momentum.
NCUI President Dileep Sanghani, addressing the gathering, kicked off the session with the chant “Bharat Mata Kee Jai,” alluding to past instances of anti-national sentiments witnessed in the campus.
Highlighting the vision of India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sanghani emphasized the pivotal role of cooperatives in fostering the true spirit of the nation. He stressed that embracing cooperative principles not only at the state level but also within academic institutions could lead to the genuine prosperity of India.
As the Chief Guest, Sanghani, who holds prominent positions in various cooperative organizations, underscored the importance of youth participation in advancing the cooperative movement. He proposed that Campus Cooperatives could serve as a platform to attract talented individuals and propel the sector to greater heights.
Commending the efforts of Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, Sanghani elaborated on several new initiatives introduced under his leadership, including model bylaws for Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). He expressed astonishment at the transformation of PACS, envisioning a future where even air tickets could be purchased through them.
The event, although thinly attended, witnessed contributions from various speakers, including RBI Board member Satish Marathe. Marathe addressed the pressing issues of campus infrastructure and the sorry state of food & agro-processing in India.
Marathe advocated for Campus Cooperatives as a solution to these challenges, drawing parallels with successful models in developed countries.
Dr. Sudhir Suthar, a faculty member at JNU spearheading the Campus Cooperative initiative, expressed optimism about its potential to revolutionize the cooperative landscape among students.
Other notable figures present included Dr. S. N. Tripathi from the Indian Institute of Public Administration, Prakash Naiknavare from the National Federation of Cooperative Sugar Factories Limited, and Arun Raste from NCDEX.
The event, organized in collaboration with the World Cooperation Economic Forum, the National Cooperative Union of India, and the Confederation of NGOs of Rural India, marked a significant step forward in promoting the Campus Cooperative movement nationwide.
