Africa-Press – Mauritius. Wreaths were laid at the Cooperative Monument in the Jardin de la Compagnie in Port-Louis, this morning, by the Minister of Industrial Development, SMEs and Cooperatives, Mr Soomilduth Bholah, the Lord Mayor of Port Louis, Mr Mamode Issop Nujuraully, the Chairman of the Mauritius Cooperative Alliance Ltd (MCAL), Mr Daramraj Kona Yerukunondu, and representatives of various federations.
The wreath laying ceremony was organised by the MCAL to kick-start activities in the context of the celebration of the International Cooperative Day 2023.
In his address on the occasion, Minister Bholah highlighted that the wreath laying ceremony sought to pay tribute to all those individuals who had been engaged in cooperatives since 1913.
The Minister remarked that the Cooperative Movement had, since its creation, a long challenging journey. The unflinching commitment and continuous contribution of all cooperatives that had enabled its resilience and longstanding existence after 110 years were commended by the Minister.
Minister Bholah expressed gratitude to all members of the Cooperative Movement for their trust and effort to work for its success. He added that the Cooperative Movement had been revitalised with the increasing participation of women and young people.
As for the Lord Mayor of Port Louis, he stated that the wreath laying ceremony endeavoured to pay tribute to the pioneers of the Cooperative Movement which, he emphasised, had provided considerable financial support to its members.
Furthermore, he spoke of the contribution of the Cooperative Movement to the economic and social progress of the country, through the creation of job, strengthening of food security, and by enabling its members to contribute to the economic progress of the country.
The Chairman of MCAL, for his part, recalled that the Cooperative Movement will celebrate the 2023 International Day of Cooperatives under the theme ‘Cooperatives for Sustainable Development’, in line with its dynamic nature.
Mr Daramraj Kona Yerukunondu reiterated the mission of MCAL, which is to promote the principles and philosophy of cooperatives as well as preserve their values and identity.
“We also endeavour to create a favourable and conducive environment for our cooperatives and act as the mouthpiece of the Movement at national and international level,” he added.
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