Mangaluru: The 73rd Cooperative Week celebration began on Saturday and the valedictory ceremony will be held at Karavali Utsav Maidan in Mangaluru on Nov 20.Addressing reporters on Friday, MN Rajendra Kumar, chairperson, SCDCC Bank, said cooperation minister Laxman Savadi would inaugurate the event. “Our goal is to celebrate the cooperative movement in a way that serves as a model for both the state and the nation,” he said.The valedictory celebrations will begin with flag hoisting by MLA D Vedavyas Kamath at the bank premises, followed by a procession featuring 39 tableaux at 9 am. MP Capt Brijesh Chowta will inaugurate the exhibition stalls.District minister UT Khader will present the ‘Sahakara Manikya’ award to four outstanding cooperative societies. Each award-winning society will receive a 5 g gold medal and Rs 10,000 in cash. “No other district offers gold medals alongside cash prizes; we do this to inspire societies to achieve greater heights,” Kumar said.Karnataka State Cooperative Federation president GT Devegowda and MP Kota Srinivas Poojary will present awards to top-performing cooperative societies and Navodaya self-help groups. “With massive participation from women, we are ensuring true gender equality and empowerment,” Kumar added.
