Port Blair, Dec 12: A&N State Cooperative Bank has organized its 6th programme of distribution of Cooperative cards for Pension of old age, widow, and handicapped at their homes on 8th December, 2012 at Haddo community hall. Catholic Bishop Reverend Alex Dias, SFX has graced the occasion as Chief Guest while Mr. Bhagat Singh, Chairman of the Cooperative Bank has chaired the function. In his welcome speech Mr. Ravinder Rao, Managing Director of the Bank has briefed about the activities of the Bank. He has stated that in 1965 the Bank was established with a total deposit of Rs. 85,000/- only which is now having 29 branches all over the islands.
Mr. Bhagat Singh, Chairman of the Bank in his speech has stated that in these hard days when jobs in Government departments have become a day dream, the only way out of the unemployment is to opt for creating self help groups and cooperatives and to get financial help from the Bank as this Bank is always ready to help the SHGs and Cooperatives. He felt good to know that in Haddo area itself there are about 250 SHGs and most of them are being funded by this Bank.
He has also recorded his pleasure to the fact that the loan refunding percentile of the SHGs are 98%. He urged all the unemployed youths of these islands to opt for creating SHGs and Cooperatives and become self independent. Mr. Singh has appreciated the efforts of its Vice Chairman Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma and also the efforts of the Bank staff for distributing pensions at the door steps of the elderly, widowed and handicapped beneficiaries and recorded his pleasure that the Managing Committee of the Bank is trying for opening new branches at other islands which will give job opportunities to many unemployed aspirants. The Deputy General Manager of NABARD Mr. Anand Kishan in his brief speech has praised the activities of the Bank for its selfless services to the poorest of the poor. In his speech the most Rev Bishop Mr Alex Dias, SFX has appreciated the efforts of the Chairman of the Bank and his team for rendering noble services to the elderly, widowed and handicapped personnel. He has told that, “To serve the poor is to serve the Lord”.
Lord does not want anything from us except our love to the downtrodden, poor, hapless personnel and patients etc. We should always love and protect HIS creations. If we fee a poor, the Lord will be fed and if we serve the hapless patients and elderly persons etc, the Lord will be nurtured. Giving various examples, the Reverend Bishop has recorded his utmost happiness on the workings of the Bank towards the poor and helpless persons of the society and blessed whole heartedly to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and all the officers and staff of the Bank. He has also stated that he knows Mr. Bhagat Singh since last 33 years and whenever he needed any help on the welfare measures, Mr. Singh has fulfilled it without any hitches and delay and Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma is following the footprints of Mr. Bhagat Singh, The Rev Bishop has added. Bishop has urged one and all to devote themselves to the services of the poor and told if they do so, they will be serving the Lord and get Holy blessings from HIM.
After that the Reverend Bishop has distributed the pension cards to the beneficiaries with his blessings. Fathers Mr. Tersus, Mr.Sajith, Chairman Municipal Council PB Murugan, Chairperson smti Abola Samaddar, RV Reddy, Chairman CCS, Manikkam, Secretary, CCWS, Ghyas Meshak, Vice Chairman ANS Coopt Union, A Banerjee, Vice Chairman, ANS Coopt union, Councillors JK Nair, Hema Rao, IP Singh, Ram Lall, General Secretary, ANS Coopt Union were present in the function alongwith others. Mr. Apala Swamy, Branch Manager has proposed vote of thanks.
