Parshottam Rupala, Union Minister of State for Agriculture speaking as Chief Guest during a virtual function organized on the occasion of International Cooperative Day by NCUI on Saturday said that in building up new India, cooperatives should play a leading role.
The cooperative model should be popularized amongst youth, for which NCUI has to play a leading role in effective communications, he said. International Cooperative Day is celebrated on 1st Saturday of July every year. The theme of this year’s International Day of Cooperatives is ‘Rebuild Better Together’.
“In difficult times of Covid and lockdown, everyone had tea in their homes, which was possible only through untiring efforts of Amul’, Rupala said.
He further said that during covid, agricultural production was very good, which was due to vital contributions of cooperatives only. He said that as savings is in our DNA, the cooperatives should adopt a savings culture, so that they can strengthen themselves as they have a strong membership base and wide network.
He said that every cooperative society should have a savings account.
Dileep Sanghani, President, NCUI speaking on the occasion said that cooperative organizations in India through united efforts have strongly faced the adverse situation during covid and emerged stronger.
Sanghani said that NCUI is going to open a Craft Centre at its premises to exhibit the products of PACS/SHGs and provide them marketing avenues.
Sunil Kumar Singh, Chairman, BISCOMAUN speaking as a key note speaker on the occasion highlighted that cooperatives in Bihar including BISCOMAUN were at the fore-front in providing relief work, and their business was also not affected due to good help and support provided by IFFCO, KRIBHCO and other cooperative organizations, for which he thanked them profusely.
Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, Chairman, KRIBHCO and Vice-Chairman, ICA-AP speaking on the occasion said that during covid crisis, the cooperatives in Asia-Pacific region following cooperative principles and values successfully faced very challenge.
Dr Bijender Singh, Vice President, NCUI speaking on the occasion said that necessary steps would be undertaken to implement the suggestions given by Minister Shri Rupala for strengthening the cooperative movement.
Dr Sudhir Mahajan, Chief Executive, NCUI in his opening address said that cooperatives like AMUL, IFFCO, KRIBHCO, etc came up with vital contributions to help people during covid distress.
Ms Savitri Singh, Director, IR, NCUI who successfully anchored the programme said that cooperatives showed great resilience during covid, and the government should give due recognition to them.
The event was a hit as around 400 representatives of cooperative sector and others attended the programme, which was also live on Facebook.