Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah on Sunday laid the foundation stone of India’s first National Cooperative University — Tribhuvan Sahkari University, in Anand, Gujarat.
The initiative aims to institutionalise education and training in the cooperative sector and marks a significant step in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to strengthen India’s cooperative movement.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, State Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Murlidhar Mohol, and Gujarat ministers Rishikesh Patel and Jagdish Vishwakarma also attended the event.
Amit Shah pays tribute to a visionary leader
Amit Shah explained the significance behind the university’s name, stating, “The name Tribhuvan Sahkari University does not reflect any deity or ideology. It pays tribute to Tribhuvandas K Patel, the pioneer of India’s cooperative movement, particularly in the dairy sector.”
Amit Shah added that Patel’s legacy began with the Kheda Milk Union in 1946, which eventually gave birth to the iconic AMUL brand, now a global symbol of cooperative success.
Cooperative movement anchored in development
Amit Shah underlined the government’s commitment to cooperative-led growth.
“When PM Modi decided to uplift the economic condition of crores of poor and rural citizens, he created a dedicated Ministry of Cooperation. Today, this movement includes over 30 crore Indians, roughly every fourth citizen, and over 80 lakh ward members have joined,” he said.
He also took a jab at the opposition, noting that the Congress party failed to acknowledge that Tribhuvandas Patel was once a Congress member.
“Our party didn’t even exist back then,” Shah added.
Amit Shah announced a major policy shift, stating that the university would directly supply future recruits for the cooperative sector.
“We won’t just hire and train people anymore. Now, only those educated in cooperative systems will be recruited, ensuring both efficiency and transparency,” he said.
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