Bhubaneswar, 4 July (H.S.) Highlighting the pivotal role of cooperatives in rural development, Odisha's Minister for Cooperation, Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts, Shri Pradeep Bal Samanta, today inaugurated the “Cooperative Walkathon” in Bhubaneswar as part of the celebration of the International Year of Cooperatives 2025.

Speaking at the inaugural event, the Minister emphasized that cooperatives are not profit-driven, but service-oriented institutions committed to collective growth over individual gain. “Cooperatives will become the growth engine of rural Odisha,” he said.

The walkathon commenced at 7 AM from the Madhusudan Institute of Cooperative Management and concluded at Gopabandhu Square. Shri Samanta flagged off the event, which saw enthusiastic participation from cooperative members and officials, who raised slogans to promote awareness about the importance of cooperatives in socio-economic development.

Key dignitaries present at the event included Siddharth Das, Registrar of Cooperative Societies; Bhaktabandhu Sahu, Additional Registrar; Laxmidhar Subudhi, Joint Registrar; Dillip Kumar Dash, Director of MICM; Prof. Saroj Kumar Kashyap; and other departmental officers, faculty members, and staff.

The walkathon was organised ahead of International Cooperative Day, which will be observed tomorrow (July 5), and also in commemoration of the Fourth Foundation Day of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India.

Marking the occasion, Shri Samanta also participated in the ongoing nationwide campaign “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” (“A Tree for Mother”) by planting a sapling. The second phase of this green initiative aims to promote environmental consciousness and honor Mother Nature.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda