The Sikkim State Cooperative Union (SICUN) today organised a special programme at the Auditorium of CAEPHT, Ghattay Dara, Ranipool, marking the launch of several significant initiatives aimed at strengthening cooperative enterprises, promoting cooperative products and expanding digital and cooperative education services in the State.
The programme commenced with the inauguration of SICUN Haat at the CAEPHT premises by the Chief Guest, followed by the formal programme at the CAEPHT Auditorium.
The occasion was graced by Shri Arun Upreti, Hon’ble Minister, RDD, Panchayati Raj & Cooperation Department, as the Chief Guest and Smt. Bidya Biswakarma, Hon’ble Chairperson, Cooperation Department, as the Guest of Honour. Also present were Ms. Jabi Thapa, PRCS-cum-Secretary, Cooperation Department; Smt. Pema Ongmu, Registrar of Cooperative Societies; Dr. Mangal Jit Rai, Chairman, SICUN; Shri P. P. Sharma, Vice Chairman, SICUN, along with SICUN Board Members, departmental officials, representatives of apex cooperative bodies, the Dean and Heads of Departments of CAEPHT, local cooperative society leaders and SICUN staff.
The Chief Guest, Shri Arun Upreti, congratulated the leadership and staff of SICUN for successfully undertaking these important initiatives. He appreciated the vision and leadership of Dr. Mangal Jit Rai, Chairman, SICUN, towards building a resilient, sustainable and progressive cooperative framework in the State.
The Hon’ble Minister assured that the State Government will continue to extend its support and cooperation for the growth and development of SICUN and for strengthening the cooperative movement across Sikkim. He also congratulated SICUN on winning the prestigious SKOCH Award, describing the achievement as a significant accomplishment and a matter of pride for the cooperative movement of Sikkim.
Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Jabi Thapa, PRCS-cum-Secretary, Cooperation Department, commended the SICUN team for its initiatives and reaffirmed the Department’s steadfast support for its future endeavours. She emphasised that the long-term sustainability and institutional strength of SICUN are essential for the growth of the cooperative movement in Sikkim.
She further highlighted that, as a non-profit apex organisation dedicated to the promotion and development of cooperatives, SICUN requires continued support, collaboration and collective participation from other apex cooperative societies and institutions. Such collective efforts, she noted, would enable SICUN to strengthen its programmes, expand its outreach and contribute towards building a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable cooperative movement across the State.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mangal Jit Rai, Chairman, SICUN, highlighted the importance of creating stronger market linkages for cooperative products while simultaneously investing in cooperative education, digital services and institutional development.
He said that SICUN Haat is envisioned as a platform where products of cooperative societies can gain greater visibility and access to wider markets, enabling cooperative members and producers to move beyond production towards better branding, packaging, pricing and value creation.
Dr. Rai expressed his deep appreciation to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Sikkim, Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay), for his visionary leadership and continued support to cooperative societies across the State. He acknowledged the Chief Minister’s consistent encouragement and commitment towards strengthening the cooperative movement and empowering cooperators in Sikkim.
He also expressed his sincere appreciation to Shri Arun Kumar Upreti, Hon’ble Minister, RDD, Panchayati Raj & Cooperation Department, and Ms. Jabi Thapa, PRCS-cum-Secretary, Cooperation Department, for their continued support, guidance and keen concern towards the development and strengthening of SICUN.
Dr. Rai emphasised that the continued success and sustainability of SICUN requires collective ownership and cooperation among the Government, Cooperation Department, apex cooperative institutions and cooperative societies. He expressed confidence that with continued support and collaboration, SICUN would contribute more effectively towards building a strong, resilient and sustainable cooperative movement in Sikkim.
A key highlight of the programme was a presentation on “Strategic Marketing, Branding, Packaging & Pricing of Cooperative Products” by Shri Riwaj Cintury, ARCS, Gangtok, Cooperation Department. The session focused on improving the marketability, presentation and competitiveness of products produced by cooperative societies.
The Chief Guest also launched the brochure for SICUN’s Three-Month Diploma in Cooperative Management, affiliated with Tribhuvan Sahkari University, Anand, Gujarat, under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India. The course is aimed at developing professional knowledge and practical skills among cooperative members, employees and stakeholders. A brief presentation on the course and its curriculum was made by Ms. Thinlay Pemu Bhutia, Faculty Member, JCTC, SICUN.
Another important initiative launched during the programme was “SICUN CONNECT”, the quarterly e-newspaper of SICUN, which will provide a platform to share information, activities, achievements and developments relating to the cooperative movement in Sikkim.
The programme also witnessed the digital inauguration of the SICUN Common Service Centre (CSC) near RTO, Jalipool, marking another step towards providing accessible digital and citizen-centric services through the cooperative network.
The programme was welcomed by Shri Shailesh Rai, Executive Officer, SICUN, and concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri P. P. Sharma, Vice Chairman, SICUN.
The initiatives launched today reflect SICUN’s continued efforts to build a modern, market-oriented, digitally enabled and professionally managed cooperative movement in Sikkim, in line with the vision of “Sahakar Se Samriddhi.”
