NEW DELHI, June 25: President Pranab Mukherjee today said it is in the institutions of cooperatives that the ideals of democracy and common good come to life.
Inaugurating the 16th Indian Cooperative Congress at a function, Mr Mukherjee said he believed the need for these ideals in “our political, social and economic lives has never been stronger”. The theme for the Congress- ‘Cooperative Enterprises Build a Better World’ was therefore most appropriate, he said.
The President said cooperatives are perhaps the best way of reaching out into the vast hinterland of this country where the poor and the marginalised sections live.
He stated that Co-operatives must receive recognition as an important sector of “our economy that serves marginalised and weaker sections”.
He said they must be made commercially viable and used effectively in areas where cooperatives can make an impact such as rural health, education, credit, water-harvesting, precision farming, tourism, communication and hospitality and others.
“They must not only figure prominently in our efforts to achieve inclusive development, they must also retain their character of being locally driven by the members, for the members and from among the members. Top-down approaches should be avoided and local initiatives encouraged,” he added.
He stressed that Co-operatives must be managed by adequately trained and enthusiastic members.
On the occasion, a book ‘Cooperative Surge Ahead’ was released and its first copy was presented to the President.
Among the dignitaries present on the occasion were Union Minister of Agriculture and Food Processing Industries Sharad Pawar and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit, among others. (UNI)
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