Amul gave world an alternate model of economy, says Modi
Hailing the Amul dairy co-operative for providing an “alternate model of economy” to the world, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday presided over the inauguration of various projects worth over ~1,100 crore at Anand in central Gujarat.
During a day-long visit to his home state Gujarat, Modi is scheduled to inaugurate an LNG terminal at Mundra in Kutch and a museum based on the life and times of Mahatma Gandhi in Rajkot.
The PM hailed Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for pioneering the co-operative movement, which has become an “alternate economy for the world”.
“Amul (Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation) is not just a production company, but a model of economy. It provides the world with an alternative to socialist or capitalist economy. It is a model of cooperative economy,” said Modi.
“Through Amul, Sardar Patel showed another way. Here is a way where neither the government nor industrialists call the shots. It is the people who matter. This is a unique model.”
The PM remembered Patel — who, he said, had won by just one vote from Dariyapur seat and became the Ahmedabad municipality’s chairman — to give Gujarat’s first co-operative housing society Pritamnagar in Ahmedabad on January 28, 1927.
“It was Sardar Saab who introduced the concept of urban development.”
Modi said various value addition and processing projects such as production of chocolate from camel milk, solar energy generation and usage through agriculture were among the steps taken by his government towards doubling farmers’ income by 2022.
Taking a dig at his opponents, he said, “There were people who did not have vision and were buried under their ego. They mocked me, made my cartoons, hurled derogatory comments when I tried to promote camel’s milk for its nutritious value. Today, I thank Amul, which makes chocolate from camel milk, for fulfilling my dream.”
He added that his government is now focusing on Jan Dhan, Van Dhan and Gobar Dhan. “Through Gobar Dhan (dung), we can do best from waste’’.
“In a few years, Amul will complete 75 years. This is a team that is unstoppable. I admire their spirit. Let us think about what targets Amul can set for their 75th anniversary and for 2022, when India marks 75 years of freedom,” he said, adding that he hoped Amul would soon be number three from 10 in the world in the field of milk procession.
United Nations’ secretary general Antonio Guterres has voiced concern over the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and stressed on the need to resolve disagreements with “positive dialogue”.
He also said the UN welcomed a greater role for India in addressing regional peace and security challenges.
“On the development front, India already is, and can become an even greater regional development force, helping other countries of the region forge a better future,” Guterres told PTI in an email interview here ahead of his visit to India beginning Monday.
However, he added, “I remain concerned by the situation in Jammu and Kashmir – I encourage positive dialogue for disagreements to be resolved peacefully.”
The UN chief will visit India between October 1 and 3, during which he is scheduled to meet President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and foreign minister Sushma Swaraj.
Guterres said he greatly appreciated India for its significant contributions to the UN. India ranks as the fourth largest troop contributing country, with a total of 6,719 uniformed personnel serving in 10 UN peacekeeping missions. “The dedication and sacrifice of India’s uniformed personnel are deeply valued and are a model for many others.”
He also commended India’s contribution to address challenges of climate change, particularly under the Paris Agreement. “Climate change is moving faster than we are, and if we do not change course by 2020, we risk missing the point where we can avoid runaway climate change.”
Guterres noted that India had not been spared the consequences of climate change, citing the recent floods in Kerala.
He claimed that over 37 million Indians living along the coastline were vulnerable to sea-level rise.
Describing India as a champion of the global South, he said the country’s Development Partnership Fund with the UN Office for South-South Cooperation supports Southern-owned and Southern-led demand-driven and transformational sustainable development projects across the developing world.
ANAND: Amul is not just a production company, but a model of economy. It provides the world with an alternative to socialist or capitalist economy. It is a model of cooperative economy.
NARENDRA MODI, Prime Minister UNITED NATIONS: