(BSS) - Successful cooperatives can be the crucial means of improving living and livelihood conditions of people everywhere in society both in urban and rural areas.

Utmost emphasis should be given on infusing dynamism into cooperative activities as it`s very effective in freeing the nation from the curse of poverty and hunger.

Administrative officials and other stakeholders made the observation while addressing a post-rally discussion here today calling for finding effective ways and means to attain strength and prosperity in every sphere of national life and for making the cooperatives movement a total success.

Divisional and district administrations and Department of Cooperatives jointly organised the discussion at the auditorium of Government Laboratory High School in the city to mark the 53rd National Cooperatives Day-2024.

The theme of the day this year is "Somobaye Gorbo Desh, Boisamyahin Bangladesh".

Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Dewan Muhammad Humayun Kabir addressed the discussion as the chief guest with Joint Registrar of the Department of Cooperatives Mukhlesur Rahman in the chair.

Additional Deputy Inspector General of Police Sarwar Jahan, Deputy Commissioner of Rajshahi Metropolitan Police Anirban Chakma spoke as special guests, while District Cooperative Officer Akram Hossain welcomed the participants.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Tuktuk Talukder and three cooperative leaders, including Mijanur Rahman, also spoke.

Commissioner Dr Humayun Kabir stressed the need for strengthening the cooperatives movement everywhere in society, mentioning that cooperatives can play a big role in the country`s development.

He added that if the cooperatives` movement can be carried out properly, the country will develop faster to materialise the spirit of the anti-discriminatory students movement and ensure social security.

The chief guest also emphasized the importance of training youths to be good human resources to potentially end unemployment in the region.

He, however, said rural people have started reaping enormous benefits from cooperative activities to enhance productivity in every sector to cut poverty and achieve self-reliance.

On the occasion, some of the cooperative men and women were given prizes for their laudable contributions to the field of promoting cooperatives.

The discussion was followed by cultural functions performed by local artists.