Leh: The Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, inaugurated the 2-Day Cooperative Trade Fair 2025 organised by the Department of Cooperative, UT Ladakh, showcasing achievements of the cooperative sector and opening new avenues for future growth.
Addressing the gathering, the Lt Governor emphasised that the event not only displays accomplishments of the Cooperative Sector but also paves the way for new directions and opportunities. He highlighted the pivotal role of cooperatives in geographically challenging Ladakh, where Consumer, Marketing, and Agricultural Societies ensure the availability of essential commodities, agricultural inputs like fertilisers and vermi-compost, vegetables and fruits during harsh winters, and fair market access for local products. He stressed that these efforts exemplify the strength of the cooperative movement, which has become the backbone of Ladakh’s rural economy.
Noting the United Nations declaration of 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives, the Lt Governor took pride in Ladakh’s enthusiastic adoption through initiatives like the cafeteria-cum-showroom inauguration, awareness workshops in Hanley and Khaltsi, distribution of milking machines to dairy farmers, school programmes, organic manure drives, mass plantations, and fruit processing demonstrations—all empowering communities toward self-reliance and progress.
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision, he referenced the mantra “Sahakar Se Samriddhi,” which infuses new energy into cooperatives, emphasising partnership for economic progress, social unity, collective strength, and sustainable development. He described the exhibition as a strong symbol of this national resolve.
Looking ahead, he outlined the need to modernise cooperatives through digital platforms, branding, value addition, packaging, and quality improvement, urging youth and women entrepreneurs to drive innovation for Ladakh to emerge as a leading cooperative region.
In his concluding remarks, the Lt Governor reaffirmed the UT Administration’s commitment to policy support, financial aid, quality enhancement, and institutional strengthening to make Ladakh’s cooperative network a model of self-reliance and sustainability. He expressed confidence that the fair will strengthen community unity, partnership, and prosperity, resolving collectively to make Ladakh a model of self-reliance, progress, and harmony through cooperative spirit.
Later, Kavinder Gupta felicitated top-performing cooperatives with excellence awards: Gulbahar Milk and Dairy Cooperative Society Minjee, Fruits Growers Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society Kargil, Tibetan Refugee Service Co-operative Society Ltd Choglamsar, and Ladakh Transport Cooperative Society. The Lt Governor also visited stalls displaying products and food items from cooperatives across Ladakh.
Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal emphasised cooperatives’ importance in developed and developing countries as a necessity that boosts livelihoods while fostering belonging and interdependence. He highlighted growth in the dairy sector and pashmina wool in Ladakh over recent years.
Administrative Secretary Bhupesh Chaudhary noted 273 registered cooperatives across sectors, providing economic benefits and livelihoods to women SHGs and entrepreneurs, exemplifying “Sahkar se Adhikari tak.”
Additional Registrar Cooperative, Syed Sajad Qadri, briefed on departmental activities, marking 2025 as the International Year of Cooperatives declared by the United Nations. Deputy Registrar, Huma Khan, delivered the vote of thanks.
Among those present during the event were Deputy Commissioner Leh Romil Singh Donk, Additional Secretary Cooperative Dr Usman Mohd Khan, officials from Cooperative Department, FPOs, entrepreneurs and women SHGs.
