Kemmannu Ganapathi Cooperative Agricultural Society a model for the nation, says M N Rajendra

Udupi: The cooperative societies of the undivided Dakshina Kannada district have set a national benchmark in cooperative success, remarked Dr. M.N. Rajendra Kumar, President of the South Canara District Central Cooperative (SCDCC) Bank, during the centenary celebrations of the Kemmannu Ganapathi Cooperative Agricultural Society. He also released a commemorative magazine.

Highlighting the society’s exemplary performance, Rajendra Kumar praised the Ganapathi Cooperative Agricultural Society as one of the finest in agriculture-based cooperatives across both districts.

Former Lokayukta N. Santosh Hegde, speaking on the occasion, pointed out that the nation’s progress has been hindered by a ‘disease of greed.’ He emphasized that the nation’s development would be truly achievable only when people are free from this affliction.

Dr. Ashok Pai, President of the Dr. T.M.A. Pai Foundation, Manipal, observed that the society’s growth reflects the harmony between the board members and the staff. Father Philip Neri Aranha, the spiritual head of St. Theresa Church in Kemmannu, bestowed his blessings, while MLA Yashpal A. Suvarna extended his best wishes.

The event was presided over by Society President T. Satish Shetty. Many notable personalities and leaders, including retired Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies Kundapur, Arun Kumar S.V.; senior cooperator Sarala B. Kanchan; ex-serviceman Kishan; and Home Guard Commander Roshan Kumar Shetty were honored, along with the former presidents, directors, and retired staff of the society.

Prominent attendees included MP Kota Srinivas Poojary, former MLA K. Raghupathi Bhat, District Cooperative Union President B. Jayakar Shetty Indrali, businessman Prasad Raj Kanchan, entrepreneur Dr. Muhammad Rafiq, Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty Belapu, Ashok Shetty Bellampalli, Rajesh Rao Pangala, Lakshminarayan Rao, Janardhan Tonse, Kusuma Ravindra, Nagaraj Kundar, Shobha D. Nayak, Yashoda Acharya, B. Afzal Saheb, Mahesh Salian, and several directors like Narayan S. Bangera, T. Gopalakrishna Hegde, Hubert Santan Louis, Raghavendra Prasad, Umesh Amin, Purushottam Salian, Shyam N. Harish Shetty, Lenny Fernandes, Lata P. Rao, and Lakshmi.

The program began with a welcome speech by thinker Damodar Sharma. Physical education teacher Satishchandra Shetty compered the event and proposed the vote of thanks.