In a function held in Kathmandu, Dr. Daman Prakash, a well-known face in the co-operative circles was given the ”national award of appreciation” for the services he has rendered to the cooperative movement of Nepal.
Prakash works as Director Rural Development and Management Centre New Delhi and is former Director International Cooperative Alliance Asia-Pacific. Mr Prakash also worked in IFFCO Foundation and assisted Mr JLN Srivastava in boosting cooperative movement in the country.
Prime Minister of Nepal Shushil Koirala gave away the award. A large number of prominent people including Dame Pauline Green President of the International Cooperative Alliance were present on the occasion.
The ceremony coincided with the first National Cooperative Congress of Nepal. The congress, a major event aimed at galvanising the cooperative movement and giving it a push towards professionalization, was organised by the National Cooperative Federation of Nepal in collaboration with the Ministry of Cooperatives and Poverty Alleviation. The theme of the Congress was “Sustainable Economic Development and Social Justice through Cooperatives”.
Speaking on the occasion, the Prime Minister commended the services rendered by Dr Daman Prakash to the Nepali cooperative movement. .
In his remarks , Dr Prakash said his services were always available for the movement. He underlined the fact that the movement needed a dose of professionalization and cooperation from the government. He expressed his happiness that the Prime Minister and the President of the International Cooperative Alliance graced us with their presence.
Keshav Prasad Badal, President of NCF, said Dr Prakash being a rich source of information and knowledge on issues relating to cooperatives deserved this honour.