The 72nd All India Cooperative Week concluded in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands with a valedictory function marked by active participation from cooperative societies, community groups and stakeholders across the region. Held at the A&N State Cooperative Union’s conference hall in Teylerabad, the event underscored the role of cooperatives in promoting self-reliance, entrepreneurship and inclusive growth within island communities.
The programme brought together representatives from various cooperative sectors, including agriculture, marketing, livestock, transport, fisheries and tourism. The closing ceremony highlighted the efforts undertaken during the week-long series of events, which aimed to reinforce the cooperative movement’s contribution to social and economic development. Officials noted that cooperatives have long acted as vital institutions for strengthening livelihood opportunities, aggregating local resources and enhancing financial resilience among rural and semi-urban populations.
During the ceremony, participants were briefed on national and UT-level initiatives introduced to encourage cooperative expansion and modernisation. The programme emphasised that cooperatives remain an important grassroots mechanism for addressing local challenges, especially in geographically dispersed regions like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where service delivery and market access often require community-led solutions. Speakers highlighted the need for renewed commitment from all stakeholders to revitalise cooperative structures and bring innovation into traditional sectors.
Award distribution formed a significant part of the ceremony, recognising top-performing primary cooperative societies across multiple sectors. The awards aimed to encourage better governance, operational efficiency and stronger member engagement. Students who had taken part in quiz, essay and painting competitions organised as part of the Cooperative Week celebrations were also felicitated, reinforcing the administration’s effort to involve the youth in understanding the relevance of cooperative principles.
Officials noted that the week-long campaign focused on strengthening awareness around cooperative business models that are competitive in domestic and global markets. They discussed emerging opportunities for cooperatives in areas such as value addition, local processing, digital services and sustainable tourism. The theme for this year, “Innovative Cooperative Business Model for Global Competitiveness”, aimed to encourage societies to shift from traditional practices to forward-looking strategies that align with changing economic dynamics.
Speakers at the closing function highlighted that cooperative societies in the islands have seen steady growth in recent years, with several groups implementing community-based initiatives that support farmers, artisans, drivers and small business owners. They also encouraged societies to adopt transparent practices and improve member participation, noting that accountability and inclusiveness remain essential components for long-term sustainability.
The event also served as a platform for stakeholders to raise concerns and share feedback on operational challenges faced by cooperative societies in the islands. Officials assured continued administrative support and encouraged societies to utilise government schemes aimed at improving cooperative infrastructure, enhancing training and strengthening financial systems. Participants were urged to take advantage of digital opportunities, including online platforms that can help cooperatives expand their reach, streamline operations and connect with broader markets.
With a focus on collective effort, the valedictory function reiterated the administration’s commitment to supporting cooperative institutions as engines of community-led development. Stakeholders were encouraged to channel this momentum into future initiatives that benefit local livelihoods and contribute to the islands’ socio-economic progress.
The event concluded with a vote of thanks, marking the formal end of the cooperative week while signalling continued emphasis on strengthening the movement across the region.
