Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed confidence that the ongoing ICA Global Cooperative Conference will provide valuable insights to shape the future of India’s cooperative movement, describing it as a cornerstone of the nation’s culture and way of life.
Addressing the conference, which is being held in India for the first time, PM Modi remarked on the growing significance of cooperatives in India’s development strategy. He highlighted that while cooperatives are considered a model globally, in India, they go beyond economics to embody cultural and social values.
“This conference marks a historic moment for India. It will offer crucial insights for our cooperative journey ahead. India’s experiences will inspire the global cooperative movement with a fresh perspective and a 21st-century spirit. For the world, cooperatives are a model, but for India, they are deeply rooted in our culture and lifestyle,” PM Modi added.
Reflecting on the moral foundation of cooperatives, the Prime Minister invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s views on the importance of character and ethical values among cooperative members. “Mahatma Gandhi believed that the success of cooperatives hinges not on their size or scale but on the moral development of their members. With morality, decisions align with humanity’s greater good,” he said.
PM Modi also emphasized the pivotal role of women in the cooperative sector, arguing that greater inclusion leads to faster societal progress. He said that over 60% of India’s cooperative sector is currently driven by women and reiterated his government’s commitment to increasing their participation in leadership roles.
“A society that ensures women’s participation achieves accelerated growth. In India, we are in an era of women-led development. To enhance women’s role in cooperatives, the BJP-led Central government has amended the Multi-State Cooperative Society Act to mandate the inclusion of women directors in cooperative management,” he said.
As part of the conference, PM Modi unveiled commemorative postal stamps to mark the International Year of Cooperatives, 2025. He also highlighted the significance of the cooperative model in fostering inclusive and sustainable development, both in India and globally.
(Inputs from ANI)
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