There is no stopping the barrage of condolences, which has kept pouring ever since the news of the demise of IFFCO Chairman B S Nakai became public. One of the founders of Sahakar Bharati and a member of RBI Board Satish Marathe remembered him as a veteran co-operator.
In an email sent to Indian Cooperative Marathe wrote “Please accept and also convey our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of late Sh Balvinder Singh Nakai ji. In his passing away, we have lost a veteran CoOperator—Satish Marathe Founder Member, Sahakar Bharati”.
NCUI’s Chief Executive Sudhir Mahajan was also jolted by the news of Nakai’s demise as he wrote “The Chairman of IFFCO, Shri Balvinder Singh Nakai passed away yesterday after a brief illness, leaving a wide chasm in the Indian cooperative movement which shall be difficult to fill. The NCUI family pays its heartfelt tribute to the departed soul: Dr Sudhir Mahajan (lAS, Retd.), Chief Executive, NCUI.”
I feel very sad, om shanti, wrote Sushama Bajaj, a woman co-operator. Vinay Kumar, former MD of Sugar Federation wrote “Heartfelt condolences on the sad demise of Balwinder ji. May his soul rest in peace!”
In his condolence message Kangra Cooperative Bank Chairman Laxmi Das said, “A great cooperator of International fame had filled a big gap in cooperative fraternity. His departure is a great loss to the cooperative movement especially agriculture cooperative. May his soul rest in peace”.
Many others who wrote for Nakai included Chhattisgarh co-operator Jhunmun Gupta, Mahesh Patel from Gujarat, I B Singh Kribhco, Hem Singh Rana, and many others.
ICA President Ariel Gaurco wrote “Very sad news. My sincere condolences to the Indian colleagues and to the family and friends of IFFCO Chairman Mr. Balvinder Singh Nakai.”
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also tweeted his anguish on the loss of Nakai calling him somebody who empowered the farmers. Modi said ““Sardar Balvinder Singh Nakai Ji was a doyen of the agriculture and cooperatives sector. He made pioneering contributions towards empowering farmers. His passing away is saddening. Condolences to his family and well-wishers. May his soul rest in peace”.
It’s a measure of Nakai’s popularity that from small-time co-operators, those who are active at grass root levels to those who are at the top of the pyramid, everyone is remembering him. Indian Cooperative salutes such men who define what makes an ideal co-operator.