New Delhi, June 29 (IANS) On the occasion of the completion of five years since the establishment of the Ministry of Cooperation by the Government of India, ‘Sahkar Se Samriddhi – Cooperative Week 2026’ was inaugurated on Monday by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta.

At the Delhi Secretariat, Chief Minister Gupta flagged off the Cooperative Awareness Van and released colourful balloons to mark the launch of the week-long public awareness campaign.

The programme was attended by Delhi Government’s Cooperation Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh, Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Minister Ashish Sood, senior officials of the Department of Cooperation, and representatives of cooperative institutions.

As part of the programme, the Cooperative Awareness Van was flagged off to various parts of Delhi to take the cooperative movement to every citizen. Street plays and several public awareness activities were also organised on the Delhi Secretariat premises, the statement said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that cooperation is not merely an economic system but a powerful medium for social participation, self-reliance, and collective development.

She stated that the Delhi government is fully committed to taking Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” to every citizen.

She expressed confidence that Cooperative Week would encourage more people to join cooperative activities and actively contribute to the economic and social development of society.

On the occasion, Cooperation Minister Ravinder Indraj Singh said that the cooperative sector is being further strengthened through modern technology, digital services, and transparent governance.

He said that the Delhi government aims to make cooperative institutions more accountable, efficient, and citizen-centric so that better services can be delivered to the people and economic prosperity can be accelerated through the cooperative movement.

He said that Cooperative Week will feature public awareness campaigns, Cooperative Awareness Vans, tree plantation drives, seminars, panel discussions, online and offline quiz competitions, and several public participation programmes across different parts of Delhi.

A target of planting nearly 10,000 saplings has been set under the campaign. In addition, extensive dialogues involving cooperative institutions, experts, and citizens will be organised to further strengthen the cooperative movement.

He stated that cooperation is not only a means of economic development but also the foundation of social unity, transparency, collective responsibility, and a self-reliant India.

–IANS

rch/dan