Pune, 12 October 2024: VAMNICOM had the distinct honor of hosting a delegation of 42 representatives from the Savings and Credit Cooperative Movement of Honduras on Thursday, 10th of October 2024. The visit, coordinated by Cooperatives of the America (The Region of International Cooperative Alliance), FACACH, and NAFSCOB (National Federation of State Cooperative Banks Ltd.), aimed to facilitate an exchange of knowledge and experiences between the cooperative movements of India and Honduras.

The event commenced with a warm welcome, where the gathering observed the national anthems of Honduras and India. The Director of VAMNICOM, Dr. Hema Yadav, graciously joined the session virtually and addressed the delegates, expressing her appreciation for this collaborative effort and also thanked Mr. Bhima Subramanyam, Managing Director, NAFSCOB for coordinating with VAMNICOM and for making this visit possible.

The delegation was led by distinguished leaders, including Mr. Celvin, President of FACACH, and Mr. Edgar Hernandez, General Manager of FACACH. The visit provided an opportunity to explore how Savings and Credit Cooperatives contribute to social and economic development in Honduras and globally.

VAMNICOM welcomed the esteemed guests with a traditional flower offering ceremony, followed by presentations.

Following the welcome, Dr. S. Dharmaraj, Registrar-VAMNICOM presented an insightful session on the history of cooperatives in India. He traced the evolution of cooperatives, highlighting their crucial role in fostering economic development, particularly in rural areas. Dr. Dharmaraj also explained how Ministry of Cooperation and VAMNICOM, through its various training programmes and initiatives, has been instrumental in supporting the cooperative sector across India. He shared success stories from Indian cooperatives, illustrating their significant impact on improving livelihoods and contributing to national growth.

Dr. Mahesh Kadam introduced the activities and vision of VAMNICOM, while Dr. D. Ravi presented the objectives of CICTAB (Centre for International Cooperation and Training in Agricultural Banking). Both presentations outlined the efforts of the Institute in cooperative education and training.

In his speech, Mr. Celvin briefed the gathering about the objectives and expectations of the Honduran delegation's visit, highlighting the importance of learning from the Indian cooperative sector.

The event concluded with an engaging session of introductions between VAMNICOM faculty members and the visiting delegates, fostering a strong spirit of cooperation and exchange of ideas. The vote of thanks was delivered by Mr. Celvin, expressing gratitude for the hospitality and insights shared during the visit.

This visit marks a significant step toward strengthening cooperative ties between India and Honduras, opening doors for future collaboration and learning, stated a press release.