Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza lighting the traditional lamp while inaugurating the 67th National Cooperative Week-2020 in Mapusa on Wednesday. Former union law minister Ramakant Khalap, Chairperson of the Bardez Bazaar, Poonam Azgaonkar and others were also Captured by : Agnelo Pereira
MAPUSA
Vice Chairman of Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and Mapusa MLA Joshua D’Souza on Wednesday said “digitisation” and “brand value” were the buzz words to promote cooperative movement among the youth and stressed on inclusion of cooperation as a subject in the curriculum.
“In order to attract youth to the cooperative movement, we need to reinvent ourselves as per demands of today’s youth. Digitisation is considered as a very important tool for cooperatives to move ahead. Our youth use smart phones and computers. Our cooperatives need to get involved in the digital era,” D’Souza said.
“There is also the need to enhance the brand value around cooperative products and services,” he added.
The Mapusa MLA was addressing a gathering as the chief guest at the 67th National Cooperative Week-2020 at Morod in Mapusa. Former union law minister Ramakant Khalap was the keynote speaker at the event.
Speaking further, D’Souza said cooperation as a subject needs to be popularised in colleges and universities.
“As start-ups, the cooperative sector can be used as a stepping stone to build up enterprises thereby provide opportunities for self-employment and further generate employment,” he said.
He said digitisation of cooperatives will promote connectivity and wide ranging collaboration at all level.
“This will usher in innovation which can enhance the well-being of the people in society. Cooperatives and social media work on the same principle in empowering people in their own ways,” he said.
Stressing the importance of the cooperative societies, the Mapusa MLA said several cooperative societies were in the forefront in helping people during the Covid pandemic.
Former union law minister Ramakant Khalap spoke on the theme ‘Skill development to re-employ the job/business loser/victims’.
Earlier, the Chairperson of the Bardez Bazaar Consumer’s Cooperative Society Ltd, Poonam Azgaonkar welcomed the gathering.
The event was organised by the National Co-operative Union of India and The Goa State Co-operative Union Ltd in collaboration with the Bardez Bazaar.
Chairman of The Goa State Coop Union Ltd Uday Prabhu, Vice Chairman of The Goa State Coop Union Ltd, Bhiso Gauns, Vice Chairman of Bardez Bazaar Narayan Ratwad and directors of Bardez Bazaar were also present.
