Pune. President Draupadi Murmu, while addressing a function in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, said that the contribution of the cooperative sector in the development of the country is incomparable. Addressing the golden jubilee celebrations of Shri Varana Mahila Sahakari Samuh in Warananagar, a city in western Maharashtra, President Murmu said, “Business and entrepreneurship have played an important role in economic development, but the role of the cooperative sector in the development of the country is incomparable.” Murmu said that cooperation is the best medium to better utilize the power inherent in society.
He said, “The principles of cooperation are in line with the spirit of justice, unity and brotherhood envisaged in the Constitution. When people from different classes and ideologies come together for cooperation, they get the benefit of social diversity.” Murmu said that cooperatives have played an important role in the economic development of the country and domestic brands like Amul and Lijjat Papad are examples of such cooperatives.
The President said that cooperative groups have contributed significantly in making India the world’s largest milk producer. He said that such cooperatives produce and distribute milk and milk products in almost all the states. He said that cooperatives are playing an important role not only in milk but also in sectors like fertilizers, cotton, handloom, housing, edible oil and sugar.
Murmu said, “But in this fast-changing time, they need to change themselves. They should use technology as much as possible and make management more professional.” He said that many cooperatives are facing problems like lack of capital and resources, governance and management and low participation and connecting more and more youth to cooperatives can be important in this direction.
The President said that the youth can transform those institutions by incorporating technology in administration and management. He advised cooperatives to explore opportunities in new areas like organic farming, storage capacity building and eco-tourism.
She said that the real secret of success of any enterprise is its association with the common people and democratic system and transparency are important for the success of cooperative societies. Murmu said that there should be real cooperation in cooperative societies instead of monopoly of anyone.
He said, “The interests of the members should be paramount in cooperative institutions. It should always be kept in mind that no cooperative institution should become a means of personal interest and profit making of any person, otherwise the very purpose of cooperation will be lost.” The President urged the people present at the program, which included mostly women, to understand the importance of education, learn new technologies, give importance to environmental protection in daily life, help the needy and always be ready to contribute to the development of the country. He said, “Our individual and collective efforts will take India to a higher position on the world stage.”