If the leaders of cooperative movement in India are to be believed the International Year of Cooperative 2012 is not going to be different from any other year. One notices hardly any impact of IYC 2012 in life and activities here so far.
Talking to Indiancooperative.com Dr Chan Ho Choi, Regional Director of ICA Asia-Pacific lamented at the shortage of staff at his office coupled with lack of any special budget for the event. “We are looking forward to national apex body NCUI to ignite the movement”, he said.
Though Dr Choi is fully aware of the major goals IYC 2012 aims to achieve such as increasing public awareness about cooperatives, promoting the growth of cooperatives and encouraging government to establish policies conducive to the growth of cooperatives, he seems to be at loss when it comes to translating them into action.
Clutching a bundle of papers which enumerates the schedule of various programs throughout the year on the eve of IYC 2012 Dr Choi is cashing in on the proposed Cooperative Minister Conference in the last week of the month at Bangkok. “Ideas and their execution would emanate from there”, he spoke with confidence.
But Indiancooperative.com source has gathered that Indian Minister is not going to Bangkok, out of many compulsions, one of which happens to be lack of proper invitation.
NCUI is nevertheless participating in the event as told to Indiancooperative.com by its President Dr Chandra Pal Singh Yadav. “It is a big event and one of us would certainly take part”, said Mr Yadav, taking time off from his busy schedule of election campaigning in which he himself is a candidate from Samajwadi Party in Uttar Pradesh.
“I am busy from early morning as ICA-AP has to cater from Far East to Far West. Purchasing some broadcasting time or running a march in support of IYC would not help unless we inculcate the concept in the minds of people” said Dr Choi, RD of ICA A-P.
Japan cooperatives have collected small money from among themselves while Singapore is trying to drive home the concept through educational materials. T-Shirts and gift bags with logo of IYC are being produced in many countries to popularize the concept.
But if you take a walk across India IYC 2012 is hardly noticeable. Cooperative leaders and Organizations are missing out on a life-time opportunity, Indiancooperative.com is sad to note.