There is continuity in the cooperative history and the inspiration passes from generation to generations and from country to country. Mehta’s idea of cooperative was certainly tagged in part with the vision of India, Gould said with the audience hearing him in rapt attention.
“I wonder if Mr Mehta imagined, at the end of his life, that the Indian cooperative movement would reach the domestic and global level it has today. Referring to IFFCO he said that by including a new measure to discover Global 300 top cooperatives of the world we were surprised to find it is here in India, the largest farmers’ cooperative IFFCO”, Mr Gould said. Newly elected Chairman of IFFCO Mr Balvinder Nakia who was present on the dais heard him in rapt attention.
More than 400 cooperative representatives from national and state federations attended the lecturer.
Mr Gould said today we need value-based model like cooperatives which can apply local solutions to global problems. He also said that cooperative model solves the problem of members, instead of making money for shareholders as is found in private enterprises.
Mr.Gould also drew attention of the delegates to the ICA Blueprint for Cooperative Decade. The Blueprint talks of cooperatives becoming the fastest-growing model of enterprise by the end of the decade. For this the cooperatives need to differentiate from other models of business, focus on sustainability and build up shared global identity.
Mr. Gould also emphasized on building up image of cooperatives through visual and online strategy. In this regard, he said that the Logo of International Year of Cooperatives celebrated in 2012 was able to create huge public awareness for cooperatives. Besides, he said, ICA has created new visual identity known as “Global Cooperative Marque”, and seven signature images for enhancing the profile of cooperatives. He also emphasized on importance of strong lobbying for cooperatives in G-20, and other global economic forums.
On the occasion, World Fisheries Cooperative Day was celebrated under the aegis of FISHCOFED. A book on “Glimpses of World Fisheries” was released on this occasion. Prakash Lonaware, Chairman, FISHCOFED highlighted the achievements and problems before Fisheries Cooperatives.
Dr. Chandra Pal Singh Yadav, President, NCUI in his Presidential Address expressed concern that the Govt. ignores the cooperative sector in budget pronouncements every year. He also said that while the Govt. gives many concessions to the private sector, the cooperatives are not given any concessions. He also laid emphasis on giving cooperatives a due place in the planning process of the country.
Dr. Dinesh, Chief Executive, NCUI proposed vote of thanks on the occasion.
