Bantwal, December 15: The co-operative movement should become an integral part of our lives and it should emerge as a new revolution in next 50 years, said former union minister and Rajyasabha member Oscar Fernandes.
He was speaking after inaugurating a programme organised to mark United Nations International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2012 and the of 50th anniversary of Bantwal Taluk Primary Co-Operative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank at BC Road here on Saturday.
Mr Fernandes called upon the people to take up career in agriculture sector to alleviate the poverty in the country. “Every person in the country should have a cultivated land in his surroundings so that he would become self-dependent,” he said.
As agriculture continues to play a prominent role in India's economy, the cooperative system is crucial for the transformation of agriculture, he added.
He said it is heartening to note that co-operative banks also compete with nationalised banks.
Releasing the souvenir and distributing the prizes for sportspersons, President of South Canara District Central Cooperative Bank M.N. Rajendra Kumar termed the co-operative sector as “sacred”. If a person willing to serve the society, there are umpteen numbers of opportunities beyond politics, he added.
He said there is a plan to conduct 'District Women's Cooperative Year' in the coming years.
Later, he was felicitated with the award 'Sahakari Chakravarthi' (King of Cooperatives)
Mangalore MP Nalin Kumar Kateel inaugurated the exhibition of agriculture equipment.
Chief Whip K Abhayachandra Jain, Karnataka Primary Co-Operative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank President A R Shivram and others were present.
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