The 4th Cooperative Mela 2025 was inaugurated on Friday at the AEI Ground in Chandmari, Guwahati, marking another significant step in strengthening Assam’s cooperative ecosystem. Organised by the Cooperation Department of the Government of Assam under the guidance of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, the three-day event will continue until December 15 and seeks to highlight the diversity, achievements, and future potential of the cooperative movement in the state.
The Mela was formally inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar, in the presence of Assam’s Minister for Cooperation, Jogen Mohan, along with senior officials, representatives of cooperative societies, and members of the public. The event has emerged as a key platform for bringing together cooperatives from across sectors and regions to share experiences and showcase best practices.
Addressing the gathering, Krishan Pal Gurjar underlined that the cooperative movement in Assam is deeply rooted in the state’s cultural and spiritual traditions. He drew inspiration from the teachings of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev and Mahapurush Madhavdev, noting that their emphasis on unity, equality, collective effort, and service to society forms the philosophical foundation of cooperation. According to the Union Minister, these values continue to guide and energise the cooperative resurgence in Assam.
The Minister highlighted that the vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi”, Prosperity through Cooperation, has gained strong momentum under the leadership of the Prime Minister and the focused direction of the Union Minister of Cooperation. He described the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021 as a historic and transformative step, providing institutional clarity and a long-term roadmap for developing a robust, modern, and inclusive cooperative system in India by 2047.
Commending Assam’s progress, Gurjar credited Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma and State Cooperation Minister Jogen Mohan for driving reforms at a rapid pace.
He noted that Assam has emerged as a leading state in implementing national cooperative initiatives, particularly the 100 per cent computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS). More than 800 PACS in the state have already adopted the new Model Byelaws, enabling greater transparency, efficiency, and diversification of activities. These reforms, he said, are empowering youth and women, encouraging entrepreneurship across sectors, and strengthening financial inclusion for over 32 lakh cooperative members.
The Union Minister further observed that Assam is firmly aligned with the objectives of the National Cooperative Policy 2025, including the ambitious goal of establishing at least one cooperative in every village by 2026. He called upon all stakeholders to work collectively to build a self-reliant, prosperous, and cooperative-led future for the state.
Speaking on the occasion, Assam’s Cooperation Minister Jogen Mohan described the Cooperative Mela as a vibrant celebration of grassroots empowerment.
He lauded the participating cooperatives for demonstrating innovation and self-reliance, particularly through initiatives that convert waste into valuable products using locally available resources. He emphasised that cooperatives across Assam are playing a crucial role in improving livelihoods by spanning diverse areas such as essential goods production, handloom and handicrafts, fisheries, dairy, agriculture, and women-led self-help groups, while also creating opportunities for youth.
The 4th Cooperative Mela features participation from 160 cooperative societies, offering a dynamic platform to display local products, innovations, and success stories. Over the next two days, the Mela will host exhibitions, interactive sessions, and knowledge-sharing programmes aimed at deepening public awareness and promoting cooperation-driven development across Assam.
