Gangtok, March 9 (IPR): The Sahakar Bharati Sikkim State Unit is organising two day long “Sahakar Bharati Sikkim Rajya Adhiveshan” programme from 9th to 10th March at Sikkim State Cooperative Union, Assam Lingzey. The programme is being organised in collaboration with Cooperation Department, Government of Sikkim, National Cooperative Dairy Federation of India (NCDFI), Anand, Gujarat, Sikkim State Cooperative Union (SICUN), Sikkim State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd. (SIMFED), Denzong Agricultural Co-operative Society Ltd. (DACS), Sikkim State Co-operative Bank Ltd. (SISCO) and Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union (SCMPUL).
Hon’ble Governor Shri Ganga Prasad attended the inaugural programme as the Chief Guest accompanied by Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang as the Guest of Honour.
The programme also had the presence of Hon’ble Minister of Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services Department Shri Lok Nath Sharma, MLA/Namcheybung constituency, Shri Em Prasad Sharma, MLA/Zoom Salghari constituency, Smt Sunita Gajmer, Political Secretary to HCM, Shri Jacob Khaling and Chairman SICUN, Shri L.P. Kafley, Managing Director, Sikkim Milk Union, Dr. A.B. Karki, along with Board of Directors, representatives from various Cooperative Societies, distinguished guests from Delhi and Gujarat and other dignitaries.
Hon’ble Governor Shri Ganga Prasad, in his short address, applauded the contributions of Sahakar Bharati in strengthening the cooperative movement and commended the State Government for extending its consistent support to the cooperative movement in the State of Sikkim. He further advised officials for empowering farmers in the primary cooperative societies through innovative and dedicated training programmes.
Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang said that the State Government has held the progress of farmers, cooperatives and rural development at a priority level and there needs to be a spirit of unity and a collective mindset essential for the all round development of the society and economic growth. He lauded the efforts of the Sahakar Bharati Adhiveshan Committee for organising the first of its kind event in the State that will serve as a great opportunity for the cooperative societies to gain knowledge and ideas which will further aid in their progress.
He urged the FPOs to work in coordination with the producers so that the beneficiaries receive equal and maximum benefits from the various schemes being provided by the State Government. He also expressed the rising potential of piggery farming in the State and encouraged the youths to actively participate in the Cooperative Movement in Sikkim.
In his keynote address, Chairman, SICUN, Shri L.P. Kafley, briefed the gathering about the cooperative movement in Sikkim. He extended gratitude to the State Government for mobilising various developmental actions and schemes under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister that has helped boost the rural economy in the State at a greater scale. He also stressed on the need for inclusion of cooperative education at schools in junior levels in order to set a fundamental idea about the cooperative movement among young minds. He further informed that the SICUN complex is set to be formally inaugurated on 03 July, 2021 on the occasion of International Cooperative Day.
During the programme, young budding entrepreneurs, achievers and Cooperative Societies namely Shri Albert Gurung (youth leader), Shri Avinam Manger (orator/youth motivator), Shri Prajal Chettri ( entrepreneur), Shri Abhinandan Dhakal (Dhakal Brothers, proprietors of Yacon), Shri Deo Prasad Rai (artist), Ms. Shradha Sharma (young teen entrepreneur), Shri Bibek Timsina (B.Trch youth in the field of dairy farming), Ms. Meena Rai (highest milk producer), Ms. Dinah Biswakarma (actress), Glen Lue Women’s Service Coop. Society Ltd. and Sikkim Pragatishil Nari Coop. Society Ltd. were also felicitated.
The programme was also addressed by Founder Member of Sahakar Bharati, Shri Satish Marathe, wherein he stressed on reformation and modernization of the Cooperative Act, ease of doing business norms and rural tourism in the State of Sikkim.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by President, Sahakar Bharati, Sikkim Unit, Shri Mangal Jit Rai.
