Bhubaneswar, 14 November (H.S.): The Bhubaneswar District Congress Committee, in association with the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) Cooperative Cell, organised a seminar at Congress Bhawan here on Saturday to mark the 137th birth anniversary of India's first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and the 73rd All India Cooperative Week.

The seminar, titled “Role of Cooperatives in Building the India of Nehru’s Dreams”, was held under the chairmanship of Bhubaneswar District Congress president Prakash Jena, following a call by the Pradesh Congress Committee.

PCC Cooperative Cell chairman Amiya Kumar Patnaik delivered the welcome address and introduced the theme of the seminar.

Addressing the gathering as the chief guest, former Union Minister Srikant Jena highlighted Nehru’s vision for strengthening the Panchayati Raj system and the cooperative sector. He said Nehru's visionary leadership had played a significant role in transforming India into a modern nation.

Former PCC president Prasad Harichandan, PCC vice-president Santosh Singh Saluja, former minister Suresh Kumar Routray and Congress leaders Shivananda Ray, Kishore Jena and Jagadananda Pradhan also spoke on various aspects of Nehru's contributions to nation-building.

Leaders Highlight Nehru’s Contributions

The speakers discussed Nehru's foreign policy, social reforms, secularism, agricultural and rural development, expansion of higher education, establishment of technical institutions, economic planning, industrialisation and initiatives to strengthen the cooperative movement.

They also expressed concern over what they described as the diminishing importance being accorded to the ideals and contributions of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Dr B.R. Ambedkar by the present government.

Congress Criticises Discontinuation of Cooperative Week

The Congress leaders strongly criticised the BJP government, alleging that the traditional observance of All India Cooperative Week had been discontinued this year.

They pointed out that the week-long observance had traditionally been held from November 14 to 20 for the past 73 years and condemned its alleged discontinuation, describing it as unfortunate.

PCC Seva Dal chairman Shubhendhu Mohanty proposed the vote of thanks at the conclusion of the programme.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda