A distinguished cooperator Varanashi Subraya Bhat age 86 passed recently. He is widely credited with siring the multi-state Central Arecanut and Cocoa Marketing and Cooperative Society (CAMPCO). He came from a farming family near Adyanadka and dedicated himself to social service.
He tirelessly worked for infrastructural development in his native region. He also championed the cause of elementary education and established the Adyanadka Educational Society way back in 1948.
Farm produce marketing and cooperation was his forte. He had served on the board of management of South Kanara Agriculturists’ Cooperative Marketing Society. The latter was chaired by him from 1973-77. He is supposed to have created a network of markets in the district.
Establishment of the CAMPCO was his most important contribution. He had several achievements in improving the lot of the arecanut farmers both from Karnataka and Kerala. This explained his influence transcending the boundary of his state Karnataka.
Bhat was a highly decorated cooperator. He was given the Best Co-operator of the State in the Co-operative conference held in Mysore in 1995 and “New Year Award” by the Academy of General Education, Syndicate Bank and Rotary club of Manipal in 2000.
The State Government conferred “Sahakari Ratna”, the highest award in the co-operative field on him 2002. He had been given the “Sahakarita Ratna” award for 2005 by the cooperative giant IFFCO.