By Daman Prakash
History tells the truth. History is a narration of how the events had moved and what role the leaders and people had played. History is authentic, if not distorted. History highlights the achievements, and documents how these achievements were realised. History tells where one had faltered and how the events shaped the destinies. History also assesses the means and the ends. It also charters the course of action for the future. History is pious, it is an itihas. We, in India, cherish our two important epics – Ramayana and Mahabharata, and we continue to recount the events and worship those who played an important role in preserving religion and ethics and upholding the principles. History upholds the virtues of organisations which had upheld the principles which had laid sound foundations for a purposeful life.
ICA – a thriving international organisation
The International Co-operative Alliance, established in 1895, is an organisation which upholds the principles of good conduct and high order in society, especially for those who considered themselves weak. Union is strength and good conduct and social behaviour are the hallmarks of this great international autonomous organisation. The ICA survived many odds in its life since its birth – two World Wars, upheavals of economic depression, transformation of economic systems, tormentations of financial crisis and several other roadblocks. But the pioneers of freedom, social justice, equitable distribution of wealth, protection of interests of consumers and producers, and international economic development, continued to guide the destinies of the organisation to an extent that it is recognised all over the world – by the grassroots members, international community and strong economic entities.
Today we find the ICA and co-operatives in all corners of the world. Over one billion people from 90 countries through 240 Member-Organisations are associated with it. One-sixth of world population professes its faith in the ‘Co-operative way of Life’. Asia-Pacific represents nearly 60% of the world co-operative population, and in these Asia-Pacific countries there are 71 Member-Organisations from 25 countries. ICA’s 300-Global Survey of world’s largest co-operatives has found that 25 co-operatives belong to this Region.
ICA in Asia-Pacific
Immediately after the World War-II, leaders from Asia Pacific and representatives of economically developed nations agreed to provide technical support to co-operatives in developing countries. Asia-Pacific region was chosen to be the arena of co-operative development. They agreed to provide this technical support to the Co-operative Movements through the instrument of the ICA Regional Office which was established on November 14 1960 and inaugurated by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Prime Minister of India, on his birthday, who wanted to ‘convulse India with co-operation’ and create a Co-operative Commonwealth. Untiring efforts of Dr Mauritz Bonow, of Sweden, President of the ICA, and his intensive discussions with co-operative leaders in Asia and outside Asia, brought in technical and financial support not only from the Swedish Co-operative Movement but also from other development partners. The ICA Regional Office became a reality, and since then, it had never looked back. It continued to act as a vibrant transmittal channel between the developing and developed Movements and a strong platform for mutual co-operation and collaboration.
ICA ROAP’s Golden Jubilee
The ICA-AP celebrated its Golden Jubilee, with the release of the publication “50 Years of ICA in Asia-Pacific – Serving Co-operatives.” The book was presented to the Hon’ble President of India to mark the 50-years milestone of the ICA. In all its technical programmes which included human resource development, international co-operative trade and technical assistance, transfer of technology, safeguarding the Principles of Co-operation, interaction with governments, providing platforms for co-operatives through Ministers’ Conferences and Co-operative forums, involvement of women and youth in co-operatives, and interaction with international organisations, over 16,000 cooperators had taken part in over 600 events held in all countries of Asia-Pacific. Despite facing several housing problems in New Delhi and financial constraints, it has continued to progress. The Bahai House and the Bonow House were the pivotal points for strengthening the fabric of co-operative fraternity. Movements and governments from India, Japan, Korea, and China have contributed liberally to ICA’s development programmes.
It is very fascinating to write an account of all the events that had taken place in the life of this organisation. It is a difficult task too, especially when the office was moved three to four times to different locations in Delhi. That resulted into a tremendous loss of assets, material and information. It is laborious to go through the gamut of documents and photographs and other material. Despite all the odds the publication contains information of all vital aspects of this wonderful organisation. The credit of putting all the events goes to the ICA Regional Director, Dr Chan-Ho Choi and Dr Daman Prakash, ICA advisor, who had spent over 40 years working with the organisation.
In his statement made on the occasion of the release of the book, Dr Prakash said: “I happened to be the oldest among those who had served the ICA until 2002 since my joining the organisation in 1962. I feel very proud that I was given this honour and opportunity … I had heard the shrill echos of thrill and joy in the meeting room of the ICA Regional Office at Bahai House when IFFCO, Consumer Federation and Sugar Federation were born. I had the pleasure of serving co-operative stalwarts like Chaudhary Brahm Perkash, Mr Bertil Mathsson, Dr SK Saxena, Mr Alf Carlsson, Mr PE Weeraman, Mr GK Sharma, Mr JM Rana and others. I had seen Shrimati Indira Gandhi and Shri Rajiv Gandhi and many other top political leaders from the Region participating in ICA’s activities. For me, while working on this material, it was like enjoying the replay of a fantastic film.” He further said: “I venture to state that history is truth, it is divine and lays guidelines for the future. History helps formulate visions and sets indicators for future achievements. The ICA is now reckoned as the Pole Star of co-operatives in the Asia-Pacific Region. India has been the host to ICA and I pray this will continue to be so in the future as well.”
The book has been dedicated to all grassroots members of co-operatives, men and women, young and old, to decorate their lives with the spirit of Co-operation. Copies of the publication can be obtained from the ICA Regional Office, New Delhi.