Speaking on the occasion of the mega co-operative conference attended by no less than Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah, among others, ICA President Ariel Gaurco said the diversity of sectors and regions represented in the organization of the event speak to the enormous power of the Indian cooperative movement.
Gaurco who spoke in his native language said “It is a real honor for me to be able to be in your country again. After many months of isolation, uncertainty, and pain caused by the coronavirus pandemic, meeting again is a deep joy. I am also very pleased to be able to share this important day with you.
The work you carry out in areas such as agriculture, housing, finance, and many other services is evident from profound contributions made by cooperatives in terms of food security and poverty alleviation, among other objectives involved in the global Sustainable Development agenda, Gaurco felt.
Let me also emphasize that this power of the cooperative model also yields excellent results linked to the impact of the sector in the public sphere.
In this sense, I want to express to you today the deep satisfaction that I felt as ICA president when I learned a few weeks ago that the Prime Minister, His Excellency Shri Narendra Modi, had decided to create the Ministry of Cooperation, for the first time since the independence of India.
It fills me with pride and I find it extremely hopeful to know that this new Ministry has in its hands the opportunity to strengthen the cooperative model together with you and thus contribute to the prosperity of your country.
If I may share my humble opinion, I believe that in a country like India this is the most appropriate time for a milestone of this magnitude to take place.
And I am sure that it will consolidate the right trajectory of the Indian cooperative movement through the presidency that this country is going to assume in the G20, next year.
Finally, I want to invite you to be part of the discussions that we will be developing at the Thirty-third World Cooperative Congress, which will be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, from December 1-3.
Later the ICA President was invited by the Union Minister at his home where he went along with IFFCO MD Dr U S Awasthi, NCUI Chairman Dileep Sanghani and others. Sources say that the meeting proved fruitful. Shah also wanted ICA Prez to help set up a Centre of best Co-op Practices in India.
