Port Blair, Nov 18: As a part of the 59th All India Cooperative Week-2012, a seminar on ‘Promoting Cooperatives in New Areas including Services of Portable Water’ was organised on the 4th day of week-long celebrations, i.e. on 17th November 2012 at 10.00 AM in the premises of Multipurpose Community Hall, Wandoor, South Andaman – which was graced by Mr. Anand Prakash, Chief Secretaiy, A&N Administration as the Chief Guest.
Welcoming the gathering, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Chairman, Andaman & Nicobar State Cooperative Union said that cooperative society is such a platform – where people of different positive thoughts come together and thus some good deeds could be done for the welfare of society. People can also enrich their experiences by coming in touch with people of different walks of the society. Now-a-days, Mr. Sharma added, unemployment has become the only curse for our society and it could be eradicated only by formation of cooperative societies, particularly in rural areas. The A&N State Cooperative Union has established a Cooperative Training College at Taylorabad, South Andaman to impart basic training^to the members, employees, Board of Directors to run cooperative societies – and he urged the gatherings to avail the benefits of the Rajiv Gandhi Coop. Training College. He also requested the Chief Guest to take some remedial measures from the A&N Administration to revive the Consumers’ Cooperative Stores Ltd., which is at present running in loss.
Speaking as the Chief Guest. Mr. Anand Prakash, Chief Secretary, A&N dministration expressed his pleasure over the activities of the A&N State Cooperative Union for organising such a programme of 59th All India Cooperative Week in rural area like Wandoor. He especially applauded the efforts made by the Netaji Service Cooperative Society, Manglutan for doing commendable jobs in the PACS sector. Later, the Chief Guest distributed Kisan Credit Cards among the beneficiaries as well as some consumer items like refrigerators, washing machine and motorcycle (under refundable loan-scheme) to the members and staff of the Netaji Service Cooperative Society. Earlier, the Chief Guest garlanded the portrait of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and lit the traditional lamp.
Mr. Athristavel, General Manager, NABARD, while speaking on today’s topic, said that the Cooperatives and NABARD are interlinked insofar its missions and aims are concerned. Today’s topic, Mr. Athristavel said, includes ‘portable water’ too. In these Islands,|Mineral water is very costly and keeping it in view the Netaji Service Coop. Society can easily take up a project – for which all possible supports could be given by NABARD. He requested the Chairman, A&N State Cooperative Union to explore the possibilities of introducing some scholarship schemes for the staff of A&N State Cooperative Bank Ltd., CCS Ltd. etc..
Mr. N. N. Nag, Chairman, Netaji Service Cooperative Society Ltd. as well as the Member, Zilla Parishad, South Andaman informed the gathering that the Netaji Service Coop. Society Ltd. was initially established in 1976, but it became defunct due to one reason or the other. In 2003, the society was revived under his leadership and now this society has been equipped with sufficient number^ of computers and it has engaged as much as 6 (six) employees who are earning their breads from the society. He also placed before the gatherings some of the problems the area is facing.
Dr. Sharwan Singh, Scientist, CARI spoke on the possibilities and marketing of ‘Indian Nnony’ – a unique fruit available in these Islands, which is helpful for cancer patients. He also highlighted on its other utilities.
Others who spoke on the occasion includes Smt. Sushila Mondal, Pradhan, Humphreygunj Gram Panchayat; Mr. Ravinder Rao, Managing Director, A&N State Cooperative Bank Ltd. and Mr. S. Suresh Babu, Principal, Rajiv Gandhi Coop. Training College run and managed by the A&N State Cooperative Union. At the end, vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Ram Lall, General Secretary, A&N State Cooperative Union.
The A&N State Cooperative Union organised another seminar in association with the NCUI Coop. Education Field Project, A&N Islands unit on the same subject i.e. on ‘Promoting Cooperatives in New Areas including Services of Portable Water’ in the premises of Bakultala Panchayat Hall, Bakultala, Middle Andaman on the same day i.e. on 17th November 2012 at 10 AM – which was graced by Mrs. Shrimati Bepari, Pradhan, Bakultala Gram Panchayat. A number of speakers expressed their views on today’s subject, namely, Mr. John Thomas, Dy. General Manager, A&N State Coop. Bank Ltd., Rangat; Navasakthi, Agriculture Officer, Rangat; Keshab Kabiraj, Member, Bakultala Panchayat Samiti; Anil Bepari, Ex- Pradhan, Bakultala Gram Panchayat and D. C. Roy, Ex-Chairman, Bakultala Service Coop. Society.
Earlier, Mr. Surendra Nath Singh, Project Officer (Incharge), NCUI Cooperative Education Field Project, A&N Islands welcomed the gathering. He also proposed vote of thanks at the end.
