Cooperative sector has played a significant role in nation’s development: Dr M.N. Rajendra Kumar

Cooperative sector has played a significant role in nation’s development: Dr M.N. Rajendra Kumar

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Jun 30, 2026: The cooperative sector has been making a significant and continuous contribution to the development of the country, said Dr M.N. Rajendra Kumar, President of the Dakshina Kannada District Central Cooperative (DKDCC) Bank, Mangaluru.

He was speaking after inaugurating the Special Cooperative Week celebrations organised jointly by the Karnataka State Cooperative Federation Ltd., Bengaluru, Karnataka State Cooperative Marketing Federation Ltd., Bengaluru, Dakshina Kannada District Central Cooperative Bank Ltd., Mangaluru, Dakshina Kannada District Cooperative Union Ltd., Mangaluru, and the Department of Cooperation, Dakshina Kannada, at the Central Bank auditorium on Monday.

Presiding over the programme, Dr Rajendra Kumar said that the Special Cooperative Week is being celebrated for the first time in the country under the theme "Prosperity Through Cooperation." He said the cooperative movement transcends political affiliations, adding, "Our only party is the cooperative movement."

He noted that Karnataka has more than 47,000 cooperative societies, while over 30 crore people across the country are members of cooperative institutions. These societies have taken banking services to the grassroots, developed strong relationships with the public, and extended financial assistance during times of need. Besides providing banking services, the cooperative sector has played a vital role in the country’s development. He called upon people to move forward together by embracing the principles of cooperation.

MLA Vedavyas D. Kamath, who hoisted the flag to mark the beginning of the Special Cooperative Week in Dakshina Kannada district, said the spirit of cooperation has always been part of Indian society and culture. He noted that the cooperative sector has made an invaluable contribution to national development and said its continued growth would play an important role in achieving the Prime Minister’s vision of a Developed India (Viksit Bharat).

Speaking as the chief guest, Raviraj Hegde, President of the Dakshina Kannada Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union, said the cooperative sector should adopt modern technology to provide better services and facilities to customers.

Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies, H.N. Ramesh, said the Special Cooperative Week assumes significance as the Union Ministry of Cooperation completes five years. He said the week-long celebrations aim to create public awareness about various cooperative initiatives and schemes.

President of Vishwakarma Cooperative Bank, Harish Acharya, said Cooperative Week is a celebration that unites people across caste and religion. He recalled the pioneering role of Molahalli Shivaraya, regarded as the father of the cooperative movement in Dakshina Kannada, in establishing and expanding cooperative institutions. He also praised Dr Rajendra Kumar for elevating the cooperative sector to a prominent position at the national level.

Among those present were Jayakar Shetty B. Indrali, Director of the Karnataka State Cooperative Federation; H.N. Ramesh, Deputy Registrar of Cooperative Societies; Gopalakrishna Bhat K., Chief Executive Officer of DKDCC Bank; Shashikumar Rai Balyottu, President of the Dakshina Kannada District Cooperative Union; S.V. Hiremath, Chief Executive Officer of the District Cooperative Union, who proposed the vote of thanks; Vice-President Vinay Kumar Surinje; Directors Devi Prasad Shetty, Bhaskar S. Kotyan, S.B. Jayaram Rai, Jairaj B. Rai, Monappa Shetty Ekkaru, Vadiraj Shetty, and several other dignitaries.