The foundation stone of Tribhuvan Cooperative University was laid by Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah in Anand, Gujarat, marking a monumental step in reshaping India’s rural and cooperative sector. This initiative pays tribute to Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, the visionary behind the cooperative movement and founder of Amul, and sets a benchmark for future generations.
While addressing the gathering, Amit Shah highlighted how Tribhuvan Cooperative University will revolutionize cooperative education, strengthen rural India, and honor forgotten heroes of the Congress party who didn’t belong to the Nehru-Gandhi lineage.
Why Is Tribhuvan Cooperative University Important?
The Tribhuvan Cooperative University is named after Tribhuvandas Patel, a senior Congress leader and pioneer of India’s cooperative sector. Though he played a pivotal role in building Amul, he has largely been forgotten by his party.
Amit Shah stated, “The Opposition may not even realize that Tribhuvandas Patel belonged to the Congress, but since he wasn’t part of the Nehru-Gandhi family, they erased his contributions.”
With the Tribhuvan Cooperative University, the Modi government seeks to revive his legacy and bolster India’s cooperative movement, which empowers over 40 million people today.
Tribhuvandas Patel and His Role in Amul’s Success
One cannot speak about Tribhuvan Cooperative University without acknowledging the man it is named after. Under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s guidance, Tribhuvandas Patel laid the foundation of Amul, India’s largest dairy brand. He also identified and mentored Verghese Kurien, sending him abroad for studies in dairy science.
Shah emphasized that while Kurien’s contribution is globally recognized, it was Patel’s vision that gave birth to the cooperative dairy movement. His selfless service to the cause was evident when he donated his retirement corpus of Rs 6 lakh to the foundation.
Courses and Goals of Tribhuvan Cooperative University
The Tribhuvan Cooperative University will offer academic programs across key sectors including:
- Management
- Finance
- Law
- Rural Development
It aims to train over 40 lakh cooperative personnel through PhDs, degrees, diplomas, and certificate courses. By doing so, the university will help eliminate nepotism and promote transparency and professionalism in cooperatives.
Government’s Vision for the Cooperative Sector
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Ministry of Cooperation was established in 2021. Since then, over 60 new initiatives have been rolled out. These initiatives aim to:
- Increase farmer income
- Boost rural employment
- Strengthen primary agricultural credit societies (PACS)
Modi has also announced the creation of 2 lakh new PACS, which will bring over 17 lakh new members into the cooperative fold.
Tribhuvan Cooperative University and CBSE Curriculum
One of the most notable steps taken to boost cooperative awareness is the integration of cooperative education into the CBSE curriculum. Students from Class 9 to 12 will now study cooperation as part of their syllabus.
This aligns perfectly with the university’s long-term vision to educate and inspire India’s youth to participate in the cooperative ecosystem.
Amul – A Living Model of Cooperative Power
Amit Shah referred to Amul as the finest example of how cooperation can transform lives. With an annual turnover of ₹80,000 crore, Amul empowers over 36 lakh rural women by making them economically self-reliant.
Shah criticized the Congress for ignoring Verghese Kurien’s birth centenary, which was celebrated jointly by Amul and the Gujarat government.
“Tribhuvan Cooperative University is more than just an educational institution. It’s a tribute to the unsung heroes of the cooperative movement who reshaped rural India,” Shah concluded.
What Lies Ahead for Tribhuvan Cooperative University?
With support from over 200 cooperative organizations, the university is set to become a national hub for cooperative training and research. Its mission is to promote grassroots development, equitable growth, and inclusive education.
The success of Tribhuvan Cooperative University will be measured by how effectively it creates leaders, not just managers, for India’s expanding cooperative network.
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