RANGPUR, Nov 02, 2024 (BSS) – Senior divisional level officials today urged all concerned to discharge their duties with utmost sincerity and dedication for building a cooperative-based and discrimination-free society to ensure welfare of all citizens.
 
They made the call while addressing a discussion organised by Divisional Cooperatives Office at the Divisional Commissioner’s conference room marking the 53rd National Cooperative Day- 2024 in the city.

The day’s programme began with hoisting of the national and cooperative flags and bringing out a procession on the streets.

Divisional Commissioner Md Shahidul Islam led the procession participated by officials, journalists, employees and activists of different cooperative organisations.
 
Later, a discussion was held on the occasion. Divisional Commissioner attended the discussion as the Chief Guest with Divisional Joint Registrar Mrinal Kanti Biswas in the chair.
 
Deputy Inspector General of Rangpur Range Police Aminul Islam and Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rabiul Foysal spoke as special guests.
 
The speakers said cooperative organisations could assist rural people in achieving self-reliance through self-employment, small-scale enterprises, handicrafts and cottage industries by strengthening cooperative activities and ensuring good governance.
 
They emphasized on expanding opportunities to impart skill development training of unemployed rural youth through cooperative societies aimed at turning them into human resources for poverty alleviation through income generating activities.
 
The chief guest said that the history of cooperative societies is almost as old as the history of human civilization. The present organizational form of cooperative societies was established some time before the industrial revolution in Europe.
 
“Co-operative is an institution, which is established for the wellbeing of all people,” he said.
 
Regarding the establishment of a discrimination-free Bangladesh, he said, “Due to discrimination, we could not achieve the desired goal of development.”
 
“As the root cause of this discrimination is corruption, all must work together to prevent corruption. The present interim government is working to eliminate corruption and establish a discrimination-free Bangladesh,” he said.
 
Later, the Divisional Commissioner handed over mementos to the successful entrepreneurs of upazila level cooperative societies.