The backbone of the continent's largest dairy cooperative industry is not one, two or three but three-six million women. Co-operative industry operates in many countries of the world in different sectors. But 'Amul' is a unique model for rural economy and women's economic self-reliance. Today 26th November is a historic day to celebrate two of the most important and what can be called Shirmore events of independent India. The Constitution of Independent India was accepted today. Hence today is celebrated as Constitution Day. Apart from this, it is the birthday of Dr Varghese Kurian, the founder of the White Revolution, hence today is also celebrated as 'National Milk Day'. Dairy industry was started in Anand district of Gujarat by keeping cattle breeders and farmers together. Milk is collected from about nineteen thousand villages till date and thirty six lakh women farmers proudly say to themselves 'I am Amul' and give a satisfied smile. If you want to see what kind of change can be brought about due to cooperation, if you go to a village in Nashik district in Maharashtra or Rajasthan, in just two or three decades, not only one or two people, but the entire society will see economic gains and self-confidence. Be it Gayatri Patel of Ajarpura village in Anand district, Suvarnaben Patel of Shekhdi village or Sitaben Parmar of Morj… these are the women who set an outstanding example in the field of dairy farming in India. Gayathribeh started a dairy business with five cows, now they have more than seventy-five livestock and an annual income of approximately thirty-four-thirty-five lakhs. Suvarnaben's husband suffered a stroke. To meet the long treatment and its expenses, this female farmer had an address called Dudhmandali through which today she fills three hundred liters of milk daily in the Mandali and in real sense the house has been 'blessed' and along with Along with this, these women have also gained financial independence. The idea of co-operative society and its concrete form led to the greatest work of women empowerment throughout India. Many women through sakhi mandals became the main economic source of the family by managing organic farming, dairy business or other home industries. When co-operation utilizes its full potential, there is no need to wait for government projects. Amul, who created a global role model through the milk industry, also initiated subtle changes in the social order, which over time translated into major changes and reformist approaches. The concrete form of Mahatma Gandhi's concept of social equality was made possible by these co-operative societies. Dispersed people of the society came together and stood. The Indian village, the Indian farmer and especially the women farmer and herdsman became self-sufficient because they lived together.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
