Mahbub Pial, Faridpur

The 104th International Co-operative Day was celebrated in Faridpur on Saturday with a focus on this year's global theme, "Co-operatives for a Peaceful World." Organized by the Faridpur District Co-operative Office, the day was marked by a discussion seminar, distribution of tree saplings, and the presentation of honorary awards at the District Council Conference Room at 11:00 AM.

The seminar was presided over by Abdur Rahman Laltu, President of the Faridpur District Co-operative Union, and moderated by its General Secretary, Mizanur Rahman Mizan. Principal of the Regional Co-operative Institute of Faridpur, Khondokar Monirul Islam, attended the convention as the chief guest.

Key alignment speakers included Faridpur District Co-operative Officer Syed Jasim Uddin, President of the Faridpur District Bar Association and former District Co-operative Union President Advocate Liaquat Ali Khan Bulu, Faridpur Sadar Upazila Co-operative Officer Md. Afzal Hossain, Managing Director of Shah Farid Real Estate Company and former District Co-operative Union President Md. Omar Ali Khan, alongside District Co-operative Union Vice-President Mohammad Jahangir Hossain, Iftekhar Mahmud, Golam Mohammad Faruk, Jahidur রহমান, Bazlur Rashid, Mst. Salma Choiti, Afroza Yasmin, and Farida Parvin Parul.

The speakers highlighted that co-operatives play a monumental role in financial empowerment, job creation, poverty alleviation, and building a peaceful, sustainable society. They urged collective efforts to accelerate the co-operative movement and expand community-driven economic models for grassroots socio-economic development. Furthermore, the dignitaries cautioned citizens to stay vigilant against fraudulent, corrupt groups that misuse the co-operative framework for illegal gains. They emphasized that collective unity can easily solve complex problems, urging members to transcend personal interests and work collaboratively for the greater public good.

In the second segment of the ceremony, honorary awards and crests were presented to several co-operative societies for their exceptional community contributions, including Shataneer Multipurpose Co-operative, Adarsha Bonik Samity, and Power Multipurpose Co-operative Society. Additionally, Alhaj Mohammad Shamsul Haque Molla, Mst. Salma Akter Khan, and Mohammad Jahangir Aziz were honored as the best individual co-operators.

Earlier in the program, special honorary crests were presented to Advocate Liaquat Ali Khan Bulu on his election as the President of the Faridpur District Bar Association, and to National President’s Award-winning co-operator Afroza Begum. The event concluded with the distribution of plants among the invited guests.