‘Tribhuvan’ Sahkari University to End Nepotism: HM Amit Shah

GG News Bureau
Anand, 5th July: Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah on Saturday laid the foundation stone of India’s first-ever cooperative university, “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University, in Anand, Gujarat. The university, named after cooperative stalwart Tribhuvan Das Patel, will serve as a pioneering institution for education, training, innovation, and research in the cooperative sector.

Speaking at the event, Shah hailed the occasion as a “historic step” for the cooperative movement and a true tribute by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the late Tribhuvan Das Patel. Shah noted that the university will be built on 125 acres at a cost of ₹500 crore and aims to fill the long-standing educational and training vacuum in the sector.

“This university will end nepotism in cooperatives, bring transparency, and ensure employment for trained youth,” Shah said.

A New Era in Cooperative Education

The “Tribhuvan” Sahkari University will train youth in technical expertise, accounting, scientific practices, marketing, and—importantly—the core values of cooperation. It is also expected to address structural issues in the sector by ensuring that only trained individuals are employed in cooperative societies.

Shah emphasized that 30 crore Indians, or every fourth citizen, is connected to the cooperative movement, which now needs skilled human resources to scale. He stated that the university will cater to the growing demand from the 2 lakh new PACS (Primary Agricultural Credit Societies) and existing cooperatives across the country.

A Vision for Transparency and Growth

The Minister said the university would also focus on policy-making, data analysis, and preparing long-term strategies for the growth of cooperatives. It will help in the implementation of government schemes, foster leadership, and transform the cooperative model into a people’s movement.

He urged cooperative training experts nationwide to join the institution, adding:

“We aim to establish cooperative taxis, insurance companies, and more. For this, we need skilled officers and visionary cooperative leaders.”

Tribhuvan Das Patel: A Legacy Honoured

Shah reflected on the legacy of Tribhuvan Das Patel, who founded the Kheda District Cooperative Milk Producers Union in 1946, laying the groundwork for the Amul model. He noted that Patel’s vision has enabled 36 lakh women to run a ₹80,000 crore dairy enterprise, each contributing no more than ₹100.

“Tribhuvan Das is an ideal example of how cooperative leadership can drive nation-building,” said Shah, calling the university’s name “most appropriate”.

Support from Gujarat and National Leaders

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendrabhai Patel, Union Ministers of State for Cooperation Krishan Pal Gurjar and Muralidhar Mohol, and Ministry Secretary Dr. Ashish Kumar Bhutani were also present. The event marked a landmark moment in the Centre’s drive to revitalize India’s cooperative ecosystem.

Shah concluded by reiterating that Prime Minister Modi’s vision is to make India a global stronghold of cooperatives, and this university will act as the epicentre of that transformation.