NCUI the apex body of cooperatives observed the International Day of Cooperative by inviting a large number of luminaries, farmers, students and cooperators. The speakers one after the other tried to convince the assembly that adopting cooperative is the only way of achieving sustainable development.
Bijender Singh who represented President Chandra Pal on this occasion however made a frank admission of the fact that to be truly honest is a tough call. He was referring to the NCUI’s Chief Executive N Satyanarayan and called him an honest person. Praising Satyanarayan’s sense of honesty he admitted that he himself is not so honest.
In a frank utterance he said “there were occasions when I was offered money to the tune of Rs 25 crore but I never accepted any. Yet I cannot call myself honest as the definition of honesty encompasses a whole range of behaviors including your dutifulness”.
“I have been MLA and was the Chairman of NAFED for more than 10 years. There were occasions when I was offered bribes but trust me I never touched a pai’, Singh said to the thunderous applause of the assembly which usually get artificial statements from leaders.
”Was it not so that I helped people in landing a job and does it not constitute corrupting?, he asked in his soul-searching remarks. When Chautalaji was arrested for recruitment scam in Haryana I said to my colleagues that I also help people whenever they come looking for a job”.
Coming on the issue of viability of cooperative societies Bijender Singh said nobody can help us unless we help
ourselves. “Enough of begging before the govt; there is need to grow on our own and be viable”, he averred.
“On this auspicious International Day of Cooperative I urge upon you to have faith in yourself and try for the best. I was so bad in mathematics in class 10 but got a teacher who helped me get highest marks in the next academic session. It is all in your mind and in your resolve to do well. Let us pledge to stand on our feet,” Singh exhorted.
