On the second day of the three-day 8th National Convention of Sahakar Bharati, held at the Railway Ground premises on Saturday, during the formal inaugural session, the representatives received guidance from the Governor of Punjab, Shri Gulabchand Kataria, and the General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Dattatreya Hosabale, as the Chief Guest.
On this occasion, IFFCO Managing Director, Dr. Uday Shankar Awasthi, was honoured with the “Fertilizer Man of India” award for his special contributions to research and innovation in the field of fertilizers by Sahakar Bharati.
Welcoming the guests, Sahakar Bharati President Dinanath Thakur said that the organization stands on four pillars: sacrifice, compassion, service, and dedication. “Cooperatives have the power to rewrite the fortune of the country, and Sahakar Bharati is here to purify the movement by injecting these values,” said Thakur.
General Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Dattatreya Hosabale, praised the decision to organize the National Convention in Punjab, referring to it as the land of Gurus and the birthplace of the Vedas since ancient times.
Shri Hosabale stated that cooperation is the basis of life. He explained that the societal system is built on cooperation, exemplified by the farmer who grows crops in the field, an effort that relies on mutual collaboration. “The entire rural life system thrives on cooperation. Many commendable ideas about cooperation in the economic field have emerged in India,” he said.
Hosabale highlighted that while India is making remarkable progress in the economic sector, societal change must accompany economic development. “Only then can we achieve cooperation with culture and salvation through cooperation,” he remarked.
Drawing parallels with ancient Lanka, Hosabale emphasized that while the city was made of gold, it lacked a just society under its devil ruler. He stated that cooperation lays the foundation for a fair society. Hosabale connected cooperation to the creation of the universe, stressing the need for balance.
Following Hosbole’s speech, National General Secretary Uday Joshi announced the award for IFFCO MD Dr.
U.S. Awasthi, revealing that he informed Dr. Awasthi about the decision just five minutes prior. Dr. Awasthi received the award of “Fertilizer Man of India” and a Tamra Patra (bronze plaque) from Governor of Punjab Shri Gulabchand Kataria and Dattatreya Hosabale.
Expressing gratitude for the honour, Dr. U.S. Awasthi lauded Sahakar Bharati for its exceptional work in reaching the grassroots. He lamented the slow adoption of Nano fertilizers in India and urged Karyakartas to promote their benefits. He emphasized that adopting Nano fertilizers could make India self-reliant in agriculture.
Governor of Punjab Shri Gulabchand Kataria commended Sahakar Bharati for its presence in 650 districts and marvelled at how the dedication of one individual, Inamdarjee, had grown into such a large organization. He advocated for deeper democratic practices in cooperatives, emphasizing that they should not be run by the same family continuously.
On this occasion, IFFCO MD Dr. Uday Shankar Awasthi, National President Dinanath Thakur, National General Secretary Dr. Uday Joshi, Welcome Committee Chairman Inderpreet Singh Anand, Punjab General Secretary Ravinder Singh, and the Punjab State President, who thanked everyone, were present.
