DHAKA, Nov 1, 2025 (BSS) - The 54th National Cooperative Day was celebrated today here as elsewhere across the country with due dignity, enthusiasm, and festivity. 

This year's theme of the day is "Cooperatives will build the country through equality and equity".

The central programme was held at the headquarters of the Department of Cooperatives in Agargaon in the capital where the day was observed through a colorful event.
As part of the day's programme, the national and cooperative flags were hoisted in the morning at the department premises.

 Rural Development and Co-operatives Division Secretary (Routine Duties) Md. Ismail Hossain inaugurated the ceremony by releasing pigeons and balloons.

Later, a documentary highlighting the progress and achievements of Bangladesh's cooperative sector was screened at the department's multipurpose hall.

Md. Ismail Hossain said the cooperative movement is a powerful tool for collective effort and economic emancipation.
 
"With the motto 'Cooperatives will build the country in equality and equity' we are committed to ensuring that every citizen benefits from the spirit of cooperation," he said.

He praised the contribution of cooperatives to the country's socio-economic development and emphasized strengthening the movement through people's participation and transparent management.

Speaking on the occasion, Registrar and Director General (Additional Charge) of the Department of Cooperatives Munima Hafiz said that cooperative societies play a vital role in reducing economic disparity and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

She urged all those involved in cooperatives to uphold cooperative principles and ideals in their activities.

Senior officials of the Rural Development and Co-operatives Division, officers and employees of the Department of Cooperatives, cooperative members, media representatives, and other stakeholders attended the event.

In Bagerhat, a colorful rally and discussion meeting was held at Chitalmari upazila of the district marking the day.

After the colorful rally, a discussion meeting was held at the upazila parishad auditorium at 12 noon. 

Upazila Cooperative Officer Molla Saiful Islam presided over the programmme and Sudhangshu Shekhar Roy, President of Swapna Puran Krishi Kalyan Samabay Samity, conducted the program. Molla Saiful Islam delivered the welcome speech. 

Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Sajjad Hossain spoke at the meeting as the chief guest and   Upazila Agriculture Officer Agricultural Expert Md. Sifat Al Maruf spoke as a special guest. 

After the discussion, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md. Sajjad Hossain handed over a check of Taka 2 lakh to Chanda Mandal and Krishna Mandal for raising improved breed cows. 

Our Kurigram Correspondent Reports: A colorful rally and discussion meeting was held in In Kurigram, with the theme “Cooperatives will build the country through equality and equity” the district Cooperative Office organized this discussion meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Swapna Kuri Auditorium this morning. 

Deputy Commissioner Sifat Mehnaz was present as the chief guest at the function presided over by District Cooperative Officer Atiqur Rahman. 

Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) B. M. Kudrat-e-Khuda, District Char Development Committee President and senior journalist Professor Shafiqul Islam Bebu and student leader Abdul Aziz Nahid were present as special guests. 

The speakers at the meeting said that 2,108 people in Kurigram have become self-reliant through the district’s 13 central and 667 primary cooperative societies. 

They expressed the view that the foundation of equality and equity in the country will be strengthened only through the expansion of the cooperative movement and the socio-economic development of its members. 

Earlier, members of various cooperative societies in the district participated in a colorful rally.

In Chandpur, the country's 54th National Cooperative Day was celebrated in the district like the rest of the country with colorful arrangements. 

On Saturday morning, the day was celebrated through various programs at the initiative of the district administration and the district cooperative department, in collaboration with various cooperative societies of the district. 

On the occasion, a colorful rally was brought out from the premises of the Deputy Commissioner's office at 9 am and ended at the upazila parishad premises after parading the main roads of the town.

After the rally a discussion meeting was held at the upazila parishad auditorium around 10 am. 
Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mohsin Uddin addressed the meeting as the chief guest.

Additional Superintendent of Police Muhammad Md. Lutfar Rahman, Additional Deputy Commissioner (General) Md. Ershad Uddin spoke as special guests.

Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) S.M.N. Jamiul Hikma presided over the meeting.

Leaders of various cooperative societies of the district, government officials and employees, teachers and students and the common people participated in this rally decorated with colorful banners, festoons and balloons. 

The speakers said that the cooperative movement is one of the driving forces of the country's economic development. 

A self-reliant society can be built only through mutual cooperation and coordinated efforts of the people.

They also expressed their opinion that poverty eradication, employment creation and development of the rural economy are possible through the implementation of the theme "Cooperatives will build the country with equality and equity". 

In Magura, the National Cooperative Day-2025 was celebrated in the district today with the theme 'Cooperatives will build the country with equality and equity'. 

A discussion meeting was organized in the morning at the conference room of the Deputy Commissioner marking the day. 

Deputy Commissioner Md. Ohidul Islam was present at the meeting as the chief guest with District Cooperative Officer S. M. Manjurul Haque in the chair.

The speakers at the meeting said that many entrepreneurs are facing losses due to lack of coordination between garment production and marketing. They expressed their opinion that providing low-interest loans and necessary assistance from cooperative banks will make it possible to create new entrepreneurs and develop the agricultural sector. 

Earlier, a colorful rally brought out from the premises of the Deputy Commissioner's office and ended at the same place parading the main streets of the town.

Besides, the 54th “National Cooperative Day” was celebrated in Satkhira, Gopalganj, Rajbari, Feni, Natore, Rangamati, Bandarban, Netrakona, Jhenaidah, Chapainawabganj and Chuadanga district  with different programmes.