Cooperative Week celebrated

SHILLONG, NOV 21: Along with the rest of the country, Meghalaya kick-started its 61^st All India Cooperative Week 2014 recently at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, Shillong. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Cooperative Model for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth” with special focus on the professional skill development and empowerment of women, youth and weaker sections.

The celebration was organized by the Cooperation department, Government of Meghalaya along with the State Level Cooperative Federations. The celebration assumes significance as it coincides with the birthday of the country’s first Prime Minister late Jawaharlal Nehru, who was a great exponent of the cooperative movement in the country.

In his inaugural speech, state parliamentary secretary S. Mukhim , who holds charge of  Cooperation department, said that cooperatives have been considered as very vital instruments in alleviating poverty and removing economic imbalances. Underlining the importance of women and youth in furthering the cooperative movement in the State, he said that in this age of competitive market. there is a need to create and enlightened dynamic and forward looking leadership and responsive membership from women, youth and weaker section of the community through professional skills development programmes

Mukhim said therefore it is imperative that the department and the government gives priority to skills development programmes to adapt with changing times which emanate professional excellence and total quality management.

In his opening remarks, the Meghalaya Cooperative Societies registrar BDR Tiwari said that cooperatives are different model of inclusive growth because it is based on cooperative spirit where collective growth come through. Stating that cooperative is not limited to any specific activity, he said that Cooperative Societies can select any type of activity which can create better economic opportunities and they should strive for excellence so that they can survive in the aggressive market.

For a sustainable and inclusive growth of the state, Tiwari said that there is a need to tap the potentials of women, youth and the weaker sections of society and informed that Entrepreneurship Facilitation Centres have been set up in all the blocks where people can get themselves registered for taking up any livelihood related activity.

Others who spoke on the occasion included the Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank chairman  WK Kyndiah and Meghalaya Cooperative Apex Bank managing director DF War who offered the vote of thanks.

Later, the chief guest inaugurated the State Level Exhibition-cum-Sale of the products of the Cooperative Societies organized in collaboration with the Agriculture, Horticulture department and Industries at the premises of the State Central Library. This exhibition is part of the celebration and also of the 100 Days Festival of the government.- By Our Reporter