HM Amit Shah Pays Tribute to Baikunthbhai Mehta on His Birth Anniversary

IN NEWS:

HM Amit Shah Pays Tribute to Baikunthbhai Mehta on His Birth Anniversary

Analysis

1. Event Overview
   • Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid tribute to Baikunthbhai Mehta, a noted freedom fighter, educationist, and pioneer of India’s cooperative movement, on his birth anniversary.
   • In his message, Shri Amit Shah praised Mehta’s contributions to strengthening the cooperative structure in India, especially in the areas of agriculture, banking, and consumer cooperatives.
2. Significance of the Tribute
   • The tribute reflects the government’s continued recognition of India’s cooperative heritage and those who laid its foundations.
   • It aligns with the Home Minister’s emphasis on promoting ‘Sahakar Se Samriddhi’ (Prosperity through Cooperation) — a key theme under the Ministry of Cooperation, which Amit Shah also heads.
   • Mehta’s legacy remains relevant as India focuses on revitalizing rural economies and empowering farmers through cooperative models.

Static & Conceptual Background

1. About Baikunthbhai Mehta (1885–1964)
   • Full Name: Baikunth Lal Mehta.
   • Birth: 23 October 1885, Maharashtra.
   • Profession: Freedom fighter, social worker, and educationist.
   • Key Roles:
     • Minister of Finance, Industry, and Cooperation in the then Bombay State (1937–1939).
     • Chairman, Bombay State Cooperative Bank and National Cooperative Union of India (NCUI).
     • Played an instrumental role in the formation of cooperative training and education institutions, promoting democratic participation and accountability in cooperatives.
2. Contributions to the Cooperative Movement
   • Championed the idea that cooperation is not merely an economic system but a way of life based on mutual trust and service.
   • Worked to expand agricultural credit cooperatives and consumer cooperatives, reducing farmers’ dependence on private moneylenders.
   • Strengthened cooperative banking institutions, making them pillars of rural finance.
   • Advocated for cooperative education and leadership training, leading to the establishment of the Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) in Pune, which continues to train cooperative leaders today.
3. Legacy and Relevance Today
   • His principles form the backbone of India’s modern cooperative framework, now reinforced under the Ministry of Cooperation.
   • His emphasis on ethical leadership, transparency, and member-driven governance remains crucial in the era of large-scale cooperative enterprises such as Amul, IFFCO, and KRIBHCO.
   • The government continues to draw inspiration from his vision of people-centric economic development.

Related Information

• Ministry of Cooperation (Established 2021):
  • Aims to streamline cooperative policies, digitize cooperative societies, and enhance rural prosperity through collective effort and shared benefit.
  • Motto: “Sahakar Se Samriddhi”.
• Institutions Named After Baikunthbhai Mehta:
  • Vaikunth Mehta National Institute of Cooperative Management (VAMNICOM) – premier institution for cooperative management education and research in India.
    
    Updated - October 26, 2025 2:57 PM | News On Air