Amit Shah lays foundation of Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Anand, Gujarat, urging cooperative education in schools to empower rural India.
In a significant move to strengthen India’s cooperative ecosystem, Union Minister of Home Affairs and Cooperation, Amit Shah, laid the foundation stone of India’s first-ever national cooperative university — Tribhuvan Sahkari University — in Anand, Gujarat. More than just a ceremonial event, the announcement signals a deeper commitment to integrating the cooperative spirit into both education and rural development across the country.
Anand, often regarded as the cradle of India’s cooperative revolution thanks to the legacy of Amul, was an apt setting for this milestone. Addressing a gathering of farmers, cooperative leaders, and government officials, Amit Shah underlined the urgent need to instill cooperative values in young minds. “We must begin teaching about cooperatives in our schools,” he said. “CBSE has already introduced a dedicated course on cooperatives. I urge the Gujarat government to include it in the curriculum for Classes 9 to 12 under the State Board as well.”
Shah’s call to action is rooted in a larger vision — one shared by Prime Minister Narendra Modi — to build a strong, inclusive rural economy led by cooperative institutions. By encouraging cooperative education at the school level, the government hopes to foster awareness, understanding, and future leadership in this crucial sector from an early age.
The proposed Tribhuvan Sahkari University is not just an academic institution but a tribute to a movement that changed the lives of millions. It is named after Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, a pioneer of India’s dairy cooperative sector and founder of Amul. Born in 1903 in Kheda district and closely associated with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Tribhuvandas led the cooperative movement that would eventually empower lakhs of rural families, especially women. “This university honors his legacy and seeks to carry forward the dream of making cooperatives a people-led development model,” Shah said.
The university is expected to offer specialized courses in accounting, marketing, rural finance, law, cooperative values, and management — all tailored to suit the evolving needs of cooperative societies. Over the next five years, more than 20 lakh cooperative professionals will be trained through its programs, with a special focus on those working in sectors like dairy, fisheries, and agricultural credit.
But education alone isn’t the university’s only goal. To foster innovation in the cooperative sector, a dedicated research and development council will be established. This body will work closely with grassroots institutions to find solutions tailored for India’s rural realities. Furthermore, the university plans to link over 200 existing cooperative institutions within the next four years, strengthening the country’s cooperative education network.
“This is the epicenter of Sahkar se Samriddhi — prosperity through cooperation,” Shah emphasized, connecting the initiative with the broader national vision of self-reliance and rural empowerment. He stressed that the cooperative model isn’t just about economics, but about values like trust, transparency, shared success, and collective growth.
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel also lauded the initiative, stating, “The establishment of Anand’s cooperative university is the right move at the right time. This will nurture a new generation deeply rooted in cooperative values and committed to rural development. It’s a significant step toward a Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.”
The foundation-laying event was especially meaningful as it coincided with the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and the International Year of Cooperatives. Together, the timing, symbolism, and intent made the occasion a deeply emotional and forward-looking moment for those present.
In an age where education often veers toward individual ambition, the emphasis on cooperatives offers a refreshing shift — one that promotes collective effort and community development. With Tribhuvan Sahkari University at its heart, India’s cooperative journey is set to reach new heights, driven by knowledge, innovation, and a renewed spirit of togetherness.
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