Pics: Akshay S Nayak

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (TP)

Udupi, Nov 20: The valedictory ceremony of the All India Cooperation Week was held at Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium, Ajjarkad, Udupi, on November 20.

The event was inaugurated with a symbolic lamp-lighting ceremony.

Addressing the gathering, deputy commissioner Dr K Vidyakumari said, “The cooperative sector is a concept rooted in our land and culture. When the five-year plans were introduced after independence, India was predominantly an agricultural country, with over 70 percent of the population engaged in agriculture. The cooperative sector was given prominence as part of the developmental framework. Cooperation is an idea that aligns with our nation's ethos, and it is vital to create awareness about its significance among the youth.”

President of Dakshina Kannada District Cooperative Bank Limited Mangaluru and Karnataka State Cooperative Marketing Federation M N Rajendra Kumar stated, "The minister of cooperation, Rajanna, and I have discussed introducing a chapter on the cooperative sector in school textbooks, and I hope the Karnataka government will implement this. The cooperative sector is vital for the country’s development, with 132 crores out of 140 crore people directly or indirectly connected to it. While NABARD has reduced agricultural loan refinancing by 58 percent this year, and government funds are often delayed by two years, cooperative societies process loans within hours. Despite their efficiency, the government neglects this sector, even failing to open gram panchayat accounts in cooperative societies. It’s high time this neglect is addressed, and the significance of the cooperative movement is highlighted in education."

MP Kota Srinivas Poojary stated, "There was a time when our country faced economic crises and had to borrow from other nations, but today India has become economically robust and is lending to 72 countries. Even the United States acknowledges that India alone has the strength to stand up to China. During a review of 41 departments at the DC office, I observed that funds from the previous year remained unused, leading to delays in further allocations. I remain committed to supporting the cooperative sector and will always stand by its welfare."

MLA of Udupi Yashpal Suvarna said, "The cooperative sector has played a significant role in shaping the country's economy. Its growth and sustainability depend on active participation from the youth. Today, a large number of students have joined this event to learn about the benefits of the cooperative sector. However, several reforms are needed, including incorporating the cooperative movement into textbooks and ensuring government accounts are opened in cooperative societies."

Padmashree awardee and psychiatrist Dr C R Chandrashekar emphasized, "Youth is the greatest asset of our country, and cooperation must begin at home between parents and children, and between students and teachers. With 40 percent of the population suffering from diabetes, and India leading globally in diabetes cases, it’s crucial to return to the wholesome, traditional diets of our mothers and grandmothers. Discipline in eating and regular exercise is essential for physical and mental fitness, especially as youth are increasingly prone to heart attacks. Academic success isn’t about scoring 100 percent, as IQ varies among individuals, and many who excel in academics struggle in life. Failure should be seen as an opportunity to try again. True success comes from focusing on skills like analysis, application, problem-solving, and decision-making. Concentrated learning helps information register in the brain and ensures retention when needed."

Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, Dr C R Chandrashekar, Udayakumar Hattiangadi, and Narayan Ballal were felicitated on the occasion.

Rank holders of the diploma in cooperative management course were also felicitated.

Jayakar Shetty Indrali, president of Udupi District Cooperative Union Limited, director of Karnataka Rajya Cooperative Federation Limited Bengaluru, and president of Badagubettu Credit Cooperative Society Limited Udupi, welcomed the gathering and gave the introductory note.

Shridhar Prasad, principal of Dr G Shankar College; president of Udupi City Municipality Prabhakar Poojary; president of Udupi Development Authority Dinakar Herro; commandant of home guards Roshan Shetty; deputy director of the cooperative society K R Lavanya; assistant director Sukanya; vice president of Badagubettu Credit Cooperative Society Udupi George Samuel; general manager Rajesh Sherigar; president of Udupi Industrial Co-operative Society Limited Arun Kumar Shetty; general manager Rajesh Hegde; president of Canara Credit Co-operative Society Limited U Mohan Upadyaya; chief executive officer K Vadiraja Bhat; president of Gurunithyanada Credit Co-operative Society Limited Suresh Shetty; chief executive officer Rajesh Shetty, and others were present on the occasion.