The maverick co-operator from Maharashtra, Vidyadhar Anaskar has mooted the idea of conversion of Vamnicom into Sahakar Vidyapith and setting up of a Co-op University in Pune, underlining the city’s primacy in the co-operative sector.
Anaskar is not only the Vice-President of NAFCUB Vice-President but also the Chairman of State Cooperative Council, a state government body where he enjoys the status of a Minister of State.
Vidyadhar Anaskar has asked Union Cooperative Minister Amit Shah to convert the Pune based prestigious cooperative institution Vamnicom into ‘Sahakar Vidyapith’. In a letter written to the Union Minister, he argues, “Being a premier management institute for the co-operative sector, Vamnicom has fully furnished air-conditioned accommodations, common rooms, computer rooms, most modern classrooms etc. The administrative and hostel blocks of the Institute have been built in the area of 25401.76 sq. ft”.
“There is an Auditorium well-furnished for holding conferences/ seminars/ workshops and other important functions. A community center on the campus provides recreation facilities and many social functions are held there”, wrote Anaskar.
“Besides, the Institute has an International Conference Hall with ultra-modern facilities. Being equipped with such a complete infrastructure and networking, VAMNICOM is best suited to perform its role as ‘Sahakar Vidyapith’ for all Co-operative Institutions”, it further added”, said Anaskar.
His letter further reads, we would humbly like to request you to set up such an institute in ‘Pune’ city in Maharashtra State which is a pioneer in the Co-operative Movement. Home to many colleges and universities, Pune has made its mark as an education epicentre, winning itself the title of ‘The Oxford of the East’.
“Almost all of the top IT companies, College of Agricultural Banking (Popularly known as CAB – RBI’s training institute), Office of the Commissioner of Cooperation, and various other key government/semi government offices have presence in Pune. Having pleasant weather conditions and great public infrastructure, Pune is the best place to set up a University of Co-operation”, advocated Anaskar
Besides, Anaskar also asked for the inclusion of ‘Co-operation’ as a special subject in the syllabus/course at school level. This will enable students to have a better understanding of co-operative movement, co-operative principles, co-operative values and culture.
It bears recall that earlier an attempt had been made by Anaskar in the year 2014, to set up such University and in-principle approval had been given by the then State Government, but no further progress was made in this regard.