Cooperative week concludes

SHILLONG, NOV 20: The 64^th All India Cooperative Week Celebrations in Meghalaya with the theme, “Empowering People Through Digitalization of Cooperatives” concluded here in Williamnagar at Williamnagar Govt. College Playground on 20 November with School Education and Literacy Minister, Deborah C Marak as the chief guest on the day.

Closing the week-long celebrations, the minister urged the women-folk to strengthen their cooperative societies by way of convergence. She also spoke at length about ways and means of nurturing the cooperative societies and sharing the experiences of her travels in Europe, Deborah stressed on the need to improve the rural banking facilities in order to facilitate rural people and their cooperative societies. Dwelling on the theme, she also highlighted how “Amul” an Indian dairy cooperative based at Anand in Gujarat has come into being from a humble beginning with its founder Verghese Kurien.

The guest of honor, Denang T Sangma, former Chief Executive Member of Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC), urged the people to avail the opportunities being provided by the Govt. under the cooperation department for uplifting the economy and the standard of living of their own.

East Garo Hills Deputy Commissioner, Ram Kumar, in his address said that cooperatives bring people together for uplifting the standard of living. He also said that are inherent reasons for failure and success of cooperative societies and urged the officials of the Cooperation Department to go for in-depth studies in order to strengthen the Integrated Village Cooperative Societies.

Others who spoke on the occasion included Daniel J Ingty, Director of Meghalaya Basin Development Authority (MBDA), Garo Hills region, AC Lyngdoh, Area Manager, Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank (MCAB), Tura and Mingseng Marak, Secretary of Mendal Service Cooperative Society.

Earlier in the function, the Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Dr. BDR Tiwari, delivered the welcome address and spoke at length dwelling on the cooperative movement in India.

The closing ceremony-cum-mini exhibition, had witnessed the participation of many entrepreneurs from all the districts of Garo Hills. The celebration of the week was inaugurated at Sajer Hall in Nongpoh, Ri-bhoi on 14 November.

On the day, the Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies (ARCS), Williamnagar, HA Sangma, proposed the vote of thanks.

By Our Reporter