By Dileep Sanghani
It gives me immense pleasure to address you on the occasion of the 102nd International Cooperative Day, celebrated on the first Saturday of July i.e. 6th July 2024 under the theme, “Cooperatives Build a Better Future for All”.
This theme resonates deeply with the core values and principles that cooperatives stand for – inclusivity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. International Cooperative Day is a celebration of the cooperative movement’s contribution to socioeconomic development and a reminder of the cooperative model’s potential to create a more equitable world.
Since its inception, this day has been evidence to the collective efforts of cooperatives worldwide in promoting a spirit of community, mutual aid, and resilience. This year’s celebration is particularly special as it coincides with the third anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India, which was formed on July 6, 2021.
The establishment of a distinct cooperative Ministry, announced by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi with the mantra “Sahakar se Samriddhi,” gave a new optimism to the cooperative movement. This action was a historic one that provided the cooperative movement a new direction under the dynamic leadership of Union Minister for Cooperation Shri Amit Shah. It was a reflection of our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji’s steadfast faith in the principles and values of cooperatives.
For achieving this mantra, the Ministry has been instrumental in launching numerous initiatives to support and strengthen cooperatives across India.
Some notable examples of the transformative initiative by the Ministry are the Computerisation of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies (PACS), Formation of Three MultiState Cooperative Societies at the National Level, National Cooperative Database, Income Tax Relief, etc.
The formation of the Ministry marked a new era for cooperatives, and its annual milestones have been celebrated alongside International Cooperative Day – the 100th year in 2022, the 101st year in 2023, and now the 102nd year in 2024.
This year’s celebration is being held in the vibrant city of Gandhinagar, Gujarat, a fitting venue given the state’s rich history and commitment to cooperative development. Since the Ministry’s establishment, the National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI) has been actively collaborating with the Ministry to celebrate this day, reflecting our shared vision of empowering cooperatives.
The creation of the National Cooperative Database, an initiative of the Ministry, has revolutionized the way we understand and manage cooperatives in India. According to the latest data, India is home to 8.08 lakh cooperatives, spanning over 29 sectors. While this number is impressive, it is crucial to promote cooperatives further, encouraging their expansion into cooperatively under-developed areas as well as into new and emerging areas like new and renewable energy, transport, tourism, etc.
This growth will not only enhance their reach but also generate employment opportunities and thereby expand their impact on the national economy. In the “World Cooperative Monitor 2023”, published by International Cooperative Alliance (ICA), 15 Indian cooperatives were featured in the turnover per GDP per capita category.
These are IFFCO, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd (AMUL), KRIBHCO, State Co-operative Banks of Kerala, Maharashtra, Karnataka , Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, Four UCBs namely, Saraswat Cooperative Bank Ltd., Cosmos Cooperative Bank Ltd., SVC Bank Ltd., and TJS Bank Ltd., and Two primary Cooperative societies i.e. Buldhana Urban Co-operative Credit Society Ltd., and ULCCS.
This recognition is a source of pride and a call to action for us to support and promote other cooperatives. To ensure that more cooperatives achieve such recognition, we must focus on capacity building, market access, technology usage and innovation. To achieve these goals, the NCUI has launched several innovative initiatives. The NCUI’s two firstof-their-kind platforms, the “CEAS Learning Management System (LMS) Portal” and the “NCUI Haat eCommerce Portal”, offer online learning to members and the public while providing a marketing platform for cooperatives.
These initiatives bridge information and knowledge gaps, fostering a more informed and connected cooperative community. Additionally, NCUI’s Incubation Centre is providing skilling to women and other unorganised groups. A pilot project of starting a “Coop-Kitchen” on the NCUI campus aims to provide healthy food to employees and a dignified life to women coop-preneurs. As we look to the future, the role of cooperatives becomes even more critical. In a world grappling with challenges such as climate change, economic disparity, and social injustice, cooperatives offer a viable and sustainable solution.
By prioritizing people over profit, cooperatives can drive inclusive growth, ensure equitable distribution of resources, and contribute to building resilient communities. Let us continue to work together to promote a cooperative ecosystem that not only builds a better future for all but also ensures sustainable and inclusive growth.
Let us celebrate the spirit of cooperation and commit ourselves to promoting and supporting cooperatives across all sectors and in all regions. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all cooperative members, leaders, and supporters for their unwavering dedication and hard work. Together, we can continue to build a brighter and better future through the cooperative movement.
Happy International Day of Cooperatives!
Jai Hind, Jai Sahakar