Sikkim Milk Union celebrates International Cooperation Week with focus on cleanliness, nutrition and sustainability

The Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. celebrated International Cooperation Week with a range of meaningful events across the state from July 1 to July 6, 2025. This celebration was part of the broader International Year of Cooperatives (IYC) 2025 and followed the guidelines of the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India. The theme for this year’s International Cooperative Day, observed on July 5, was: “Cooperatives: Driving Inclusive and Sustainable Solutions for a Better World.”

The week-long celebration also aligned with the 4th Foundation Day of the Ministry of Cooperation, which falls on July 6. The Sikkim Milk Union organized several activities to spread awareness about the cooperative movement and its importance in sustainable development, particularly in the dairy sector.

The celebration began on July 1 with the 5th edition of Gwala Diwas held at Manan Kendra in Gangtok. The event was a grand affair, attended by hundreds of dairy farmers from across Sikkim. Shri Puran Gurung, the Hon’ble Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, Horticulture, and Fisheries, was the Chief Guest. He spoke about the importance of dairy farmers and praised the cooperative model for empowering rural communities.

The event was also attended by the Deputy Speaker of Sikkim, Cabinet Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Advisors, senior bureaucrats, the first and second Managing Directors of the Sikkim Milk Union, the Deputy Mayor, and other important officials. The event showcased the contribution of dairy farmers to the economy and celebrated their hard work.

On July 3, the staff and officials of the Milk Union conducted a mass cleanliness drive at the Head Office in Gangtok and at the Regional Office in Jorethang. This activity focused on cleanliness, hygiene, and spreading awareness about the environment. The participants took part in cleaning their surroundings with full dedication. The aim was to promote the message that keeping our workplaces and environment clean is everyone's responsibility.

The next day, July 4, a milk awareness and distribution program was organized in Gangtok. The event was held at Swarnim Women Welfare Organization and the ICDS Centre at 6th Mile Tadong Hawa Ghar. During this program, milk and milk products were distributed to children and parents. People were also informed about the health benefits of milk. The Union encouraged everyone, especially children, to include milk in their daily diet for better growth and nutrition. This initiative helped spread the message of good health and nutrition among families.

The week concluded on July 5 with a massive plantation drive under two meaningful slogans – “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” and “Mero Rukh Mero Santati.” The plantation activities were held at both the Gangtok and Jorethang campuses of the Milk Union, in collaboration with the Forest and Environment Department of the Government of Sikkim.

More than 100 tree saplings and several hundred flowering plants were planted during the drive. Officials, staff, and other participants joined the plantation event with great enthusiasm. The Managing Director, Chief General Manager, and officers from various departments of the Milk Union also took part actively. This green initiative showed the Union’s strong commitment to protecting nature and building a greener Sikkim for future generations.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. T.B. Ghatani, Managing Director of the Sikkim Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd., said that the week was not just about celebration but about showing real commitment to the cooperative values of inclusiveness, sustainability, and development at the grassroots. “From farmers to school children, everyone was a part of this journey. These activities prove that small actions can lead to big changes,” he said.