Anand, Gujarat: Marking the 4th Foundation Day of the Ministry of Cooperation, Union Home and Cooperation Minister Shri Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel presided over a grand Sakhkar Samelan in Anand, the Milk Capital of India. The event celebrated milestones in India’s cooperative journey and showcased Gujarat’s leadership in transforming cooperative structures into engines of socio-economic development.
Amit Shah invoked the vision of a modern cooperative revolution based on five foundational pillars — People, PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies), Platform, Policy, and Prosperity — calling for a nationwide expansion of the cooperative movement.
Key Inaugurations: Amul Dairy Plants & Sardar Patel Cooperative Federation
The Minister and the Chief Minister jointly inaugurated multiple Amul Dairy expansion projects including new chocolate, milk, curd, and mozzarella cheese processing plants, along with Maniben Patel Bhavan at the NDDB headquarters. They also:
- Unveiled the logo and issued the registration certificate for the Sardar Patel Cooperative Milk Federation
- Laid the foundation stone for the National Organisation of Milk Cooperative Societies
- Handed over registration to the Kutch Salt Producers Cooperative Society, promoting inclusive growth for salt workers in the Rann of Kutch
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Amit Shah: From Vedic Values to Digital Cooperatives
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Amit Shah emphasized that the cooperative ethos of shared work and mutual prosperity is rooted in India’s Vedic traditions. With the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation in 2021 under Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, this ancient system gained institutional strength and legal recognition.
“In just four years, we’ve seen over 60 key initiatives, more than 8.4 lakh cooperative societies, and 31 crore members working together to uplift the nation — in dairy, sugar, digital payments, and cooperative banking,” Shah stated.
Highlighting Gujarat’s Amul model, he noted:
- 56 lakh women (36 lakh from Gujarat, 20 lakh from other states) are engaged in milk cooperatives
- They generate an annual turnover of ₹80,000 crore, expected to hit ₹1 lakh crore by 2026
He urged cooperative leaders to adopt three mantras for long-term sustainability:
- Transparency
- Technology adoption
- Member-first approach
Bhupendra Patel: Gujarat Leading the Cooperative Vanguard
Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel praised Gujarat’s enduring spirit — from leading the Non-Cooperation Movement during the freedom struggle to leading the cooperative revolution today.
“Gujarat’s cooperative sector contributes ₹4 lakh crore in turnover, with 325 lakh litres of daily milk collection. Women-led milk societies have seen a 21% rise in numbers and a 43% increase in income,” he said.
He highlighted that Gujarat’s e-Cooperative portal has transformed governance with online registration, audit, and reporting, improving transparency and accountability across the state’s 27,000+ societies.
Patel emphasized the ministry’s role in revitalizing the rural economy, integrating farmers, women, and livestock keepers into the cooperative fold.
Vision 2047: Cooperative Movement as the Pillar of Vikasit Bharat
With 2025 being observed as the International Year of Cooperatives, both leaders positioned India’s cooperative model as a global example. Shri Amit Shah underlined the upcoming Tribhuvan Sahkari University — the nation’s first of its kind — to train human resources specifically for the cooperative sector.
The goal: “Sahkar Thi Samruddhi” — Prosperity through Cooperation — as a national development model supporting India’s vision of becoming a Vikasit Bharat by 2047.
Tributes & Reflections
Both Shri Shah and Shri Patel paid tributes to Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee on his birth anniversary, honoring his fight for national unity. They also commemorated the 150th birth anniversary year of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, recognizing his pioneering role in laying the foundation of the cooperative movement in Gujarat.
Event Highlights and Participation
The Samelan witnessed wide participation from across the cooperative spectrum, including:
- Union Ministers: Mr Krishan Pal, Mr Muralidhar Mohol, Mr George Kurian, Mr S.P. Baghel
- Gujarat Ministers and MLAs
- Chairmen and MDs of Amul, NDDB, Gujcomasol, and other district milk unions
- Over 10,000 farmers, cooperative leaders, and women members from across India
A short documentary film showcasing the achievements of Amul and the Ministry of Cooperation was also screened.
