As media went agog with the news item “Prime Minister lauds IFFCO’s role in transforming rural India”, IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi who was humbled by the surge of congratulatory messages said “I do my work and the rest is in the hands of God”.
PM’s appreciation was a boost to the morale of the cooperative behemoth which is at the receiving end of vested interests from time to time as are other successful ventures in the country.
Awasthi’s words “I do my work and the rest is in the hands of God” may sound simple but given the kind of culture that breeds dampers, the expression is not that simple either. Prime Minister patting IFFCO on the back thus constitutes not so ordinary a development.
Meanwhile, the mainstream media which is apathetic about co-op news in general also went gaga over the news. From Times of India to Hindustan Times, Outlook India, Hindu or any publications one may think of, carried the news item prominently. While HT titled it “PM?Modi hails IFFCO’s measures for farmer’s upliftment, TOI said Modi hails IFFCO measures for farmers’ upliftment.”
TV Channels were not behind with India TV saying “PM Modi hails IFFCO’s initiatives to train farmers about
Indian Cooperative was in for a pleasant shock as readers began to share the news item” Lauding IFFCO PM congratulates it on Golden Jubilee” as soon as it was loaded on Face Book. There were 50 shares and 4000 hits in no time. One of the readers wrote” there are two true friends of farmers- Prime Minister Modi and IFFCO MD Awasthi.
In his congratulatory letter sent to IFFCO on the occasion of its Golden Jubilee, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appreciated its role in ushering in a new India. He especially mentioned the rural meetings being organized by IFFCO MD teaching the benefits of digitalization and cashless transaction.
Prime Minister also appreciated IFFCO’s initiative in producing neem-coated urea and felt that IFFCO’s efforts to coach farmers on modern techniques would help achieve the govt target of doubling their income by 2022.