54th National Cooperative Day Celebrated Across the Country with Due Dignity

The 54th National Cooperative Day was celebrated across the country today with due dignity, enthusiasm, and festivity.

This year’s theme, “Cooperatives Will Build the Country Through Equality and Equity,” highlights the vital role of the cooperative movement in ensuring inclusive growth and social justice.

The central programme took place at the Department of Cooperatives headquarters in Agargaon, Dhaka, featuring a colourful ceremony. As part of the observance, the national and cooperative flags were hoisted in the morning at the department premises.

Md. Ismail Hossain, Secretary (Routine Duties) of the Rural Development and Co-operatives Division, inaugurated the event by releasing pigeons and balloons. A documentary showcasing the progress and achievements of Bangladesh’s cooperative sector was later screened at the department’s multipurpose hall.

Speaking on the occasion, Md. Ismail Hossain said that the cooperative movement is a powerful instrument for collective effort and economic emancipation.

“With the motto ‘Cooperatives will build the country through equality and equity,’ we are committed to ensuring that every citizen benefits from the spirit of cooperation,” he said.

He praised the contribution of cooperatives to the country’s socio-economic development and stressed the need for strengthening the movement through people’s participation and transparent management.

Registrar and Director General (Additional Charge) of the Department of Cooperatives Munima Hafiz said cooperative societies play a key role in reducing economic disparity and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She urged all stakeholders to uphold cooperative principles and ideals in their activities.

Senior officials of the Rural Development and Co-operatives Division, officers and employees of the Department of Cooperatives, cooperative members, media representatives, and other stakeholders attended the event.

In Bagerhat, a colourful rally and discussion meeting were held at Chitalmari upazila to mark the day. Upazila Cooperative Officer Molla Saiful Islam presided over the programme, while Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Sajjad Hossain attended as the chief guest.
After the discussion, the UNO handed over cheques worth Tk 2 lakh to Chanda Mandal and Krishna Mandal for cattle rearing under a cooperative initiative.

In Kurigram, the district Cooperative Office organised a rally and discussion meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Swapna Kuri Auditorium. Deputy Commissioner Sifat Mehnaz attended as chief guest, with District Cooperative Officer Atiqur Rahman in the chair.
Speakers highlighted that over 2,100 people in the district have become self-reliant through 13 central and 667 primary cooperative societies. They emphasised that the cooperative movement strengthens the foundation of equality and equity in society.

In Chandpur, the 54th National Cooperative Day was celebrated with vibrant arrangements under the joint initiative of the district administration and cooperative department. A colourful rally paraded the town’s main roads, followed by a discussion meeting at the upazila parishad auditorium.
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin attended as chief guest, while Additional Superintendent of Police Muhammad Md. Lutfar Rahman and ADC (General) Md. Ershad Uddin were present as special guests.
Speakers said that the cooperative movement is a driving force of economic progress and that a self-reliant society can be built through mutual cooperation and collective effort.

In Magura, the day was marked with a rally and a discussion meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference room. Deputy Commissioner Md. Ohidul Islam was present as chief guest, with District Cooperative Officer S. M. Manjurul Haque presiding.
Speakers noted that many entrepreneurs face losses due to poor coordination between production and marketing. They called for low-interest loans and greater support from cooperative banks to boost entrepreneurship and agricultural development.

Similar programmes were also held in Satkhira, Gopalganj, Rajbari, Feni, Natore, Rangamati, Bandarban, Netrakona, Jhenaidah, Chapainawabganj, and Chuadanga, where rallies, discussions, and cultural events marked the celebration of the 54th National Cooperative Day.