Chandigarh, November 20:- Haryana Governor Prof. Asim Kumar Ghosh said that the cooperative movement has played a significant role in transforming the rural economy for decades, increasing employment opportunities and strengthening unity in the society. He said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Naib Singh Saini, Haryana is among the leading states of the country in the field of cooperation.
The Governor was addressing the state-level concluding ceremony of the 72nd Cooperative Week organized at Yavnika Garden in Panchkula. This year, the ceremony was organized as a Cooperative and Swadeshi Mela.
Earlier, Governor Prof. Asim Kumar Ghosh, his wife Smt. Mitra Ghosh, Cooperation Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma and his wife Dr. Rita Sharma, inspected the stalls of indigenous products set up by the cooperative societies. The Sahakarta Gana (Cooperative Song) was also launched on the occasion.
Professor Ghosh said that this movement not only symbolizes the conclusion of the week dedicated to cooperative ideals, but also reflects the power of indigenous products of India, the creativity of communities and the collective achievements of cooperative institutions of Haryana. He said that cooperatives are the engine of empowerment at the grassroots level, which is based on mutual cooperation, collective responsibility and democratic values.
The Governor said that the Cooperative and Swadesh Mela is not just a showcase of products, but a reflection of the courage, hopes and daily efforts of thousands of families, who are together creating economic opportunities. He said that while women are moving towards financial self-reliance, youth are converting innovation into business and farmers are increasing their income and productivity through cooperatives.
He also said that PAX, Dairy and Sugar Mill Cooperatives, Urban Cooperative Banks and village level institutions are proof that when communities work together, they not only take themselves but also the entire state on the path of progress. This ecosystem has been further strengthened with the emphasis given by the state government on digitalization, transparency and capacity building.
Describing the initiative of the Government of India, he said that the Ministry of Cooperation under the leadership of the Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah has taken several important steps, including computerization of PACS, establishment of three new National Level Cooperative Committees and formation of Tribhuvan Cooperative University.
Appreciating the active participation of self-help groups, women cooperatives, artisan clusters and young entrepreneurs in the fair, the Governor appealed to all to work towards better governance, advanced training, adoption of modern technology and connectivity with big markets. He said that with these efforts, the cooperative institutions of Haryana will be able to make their mark in the global competition while remaining local.
On this occasion, the Governor also honored the winners of the exhibition organized at the Cooperation and Swadesh Fair.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister for Cooperation Dr. Arvind Sharma said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi formed the Ministry of Cooperation in the year 2021 to take the cooperation movement forward in the country. He said that Haryana is moving forward strongly under the leadership of Chief Minister Naib Singh Saini in the direction given by Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah to the concept of cooperation to prosperity. Cooperation Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma said that the cooperative sector will have an important contribution in taking the concept of developed India, self-reliant India to the next level. We will implement the new National Cooperation Policy with the new energy, new thinking and unity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the aim of advancing the state's farmers, youth, women and self-employment and self-reliance sector. He said that PAX, which used to provide only loans, is today creating immense opportunities in 25 types of sectors. Cabinet Minister Dr. Arvind Sharma said that cooperation is not just an idea, but it is a source of innovation and discipline to secure the future of the entire world. He said that along with the country's first cooperative university, Haryana will connect various colleges and universities so that cooperation can be expanded.
On this occasion, Haryana State Cooperative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Chairman Amar Pal Rana, Dairyfed Chairman Ram Avtar Garg, Mayor Kulbhushan Goyal, Shivalik Development Board Vice Chairman Om Prakash Devinagar, Additional Chief Secretary of the Cooperation Department Vijayendra Kumar, Registrar Cooperative Societies Amardeep Singh, Managing Director of HAFED Mr. Mukul Kumar, Managing Director of Dairyfed Rohit Yadav, Deputy Commissioner Satpal Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police Srishti Gupta, other dignitaries, representatives of self-help groups, members of women cooperative committees and young entrepreneurs were present.