PM Modi Celebrates Growth of Banyan Tree from Sapling Planted 50 Years Ago, Commends Gujarat’s Milk Cooperatives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the Gujarat milk cooperatives during the Golden Jubilee celebration of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, held at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium. Addressing the audience, PM Modi highlighted the remarkable growth of the dairy sector, noting that while the global dairy industry grows at 2% annually, India’s dairy sector sees a significant 6% growth.

Reflecting on the journey of Gujarat’s cooperative movement, PM Modi likened it to a sapling planted by the state’s villages five decades ago, now flourishing into a mighty banyan tree whose branches extend not only across the nation but also worldwide. He conveyed his greetings on the occasion of the federation’s golden jubilee, emphasizing the pivotal role of cooperatives in empowering rural communities.

#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat | At the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation, PM Narendra Modi says, "The sapling planted by the villages of Gujarat 50 years back, has become a big banyan tree today. The branches of this tree have now… pic.twitter.com/8ki96pr6jb

— ANI (@ANI) February 22, 2024

Emphasizing his commitment to women’s empowerment, PM Modi underscored the importance of strengthening the financial independence of women in India. He highlighted initiatives such as the Mudra Yojana, which has provided substantial support to around 70% of women with assistance totaling over Rs 30 lakh crore.

PM Modi lauded the iconic Amul brand as a symbol of long-term vision and generational impact. He praised Amul for embodying trust, development, and public participation, stating that it serves as an inspiration for the vision of a self-reliant India. PM Modi emphasized how Amul’s success exemplifies the positive outcomes that result from government-cooperative collaboration, leading to India’s position as the world’s largest milk-producing country.

During the event, which saw the presence of Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupinder Patel, PM Modi inaugurated several dairy product factories, further enhancing the state’s dairy infrastructure and contributing to its economic growth.