Chandrapur District Bank kicks off Sahakar Week 2026, honours Vaishalitai Vasade

Sahakar Week 2026 began at the Kannamwar Hall at the head office of Chandrapur District Central Cooperative Bank, running from September 19 to 25. The event was organised to carry forward the ideas of the late advocate Babasaheb Vasade, described as a leading figure in the cooperative sector. On the occasion, former Zilla Parishad president Vaishalitai Vasade was publicly felicitated for her contribution to the cooperative sector, along with cooperative movement associates who had worked with Babasaheb Vasade.

The programme was presided over by Pratibhatai Dhanorkar, member of parliament for Chandrapur-Wani-Arni and a director of the bank, while the inauguration was done by Chimur MLA Kirtikumar (Bunty) Bhangadia. Guests present included Hansraj Ahir, former chairman of the National Commission for Backward Classes; MLA Sudhakar Adbale; bank chairman Ravindra Shinde; district deputy registrar Jaisingh Thakur; OBC leader Ashok Jivtode; Sanjay Vasade; bank vice-chairman Sanjay Dongre; and honorary secretary Awesh Khan Pathan.

Bank chairman Ravindra Shinde paid tribute to Babasaheb Vasade, recalling his memory. He said it was because of Babasaheb Vasade that the bank learnt the real strength, nuances and values of the cooperative movement, and that the bank continues to stand firmly in the cooperative sector serving the public today. Shinde announced that a full-length statue of Babasaheb would be installed on the bank premises to inspire future generations, and that the bank had taken a historic decision to observe "Sahakar Week" every year on September 19, his death anniversary. Those present endorsed the decision.

MLA Sudhakar Adbale said Babasaheb was not just a leader in the cooperative sector but had also done significant work in education, providing educational facilities for children in villages. He praised the bank's Sahakar Week programme, calling it inspiring for the coming generation.

MLA Bunty Bhau, also known as Kirtikumar Bhangadia, recounted an anecdote at the inauguration about a worker trained by Babasaheb, saying that a worker trained under Babasaheb works honestly without compromising on principles. He said Babasaheb Vasade brought respect to the bank in the cooperative sector and, by building the self-help group movement, took the name of Chandrapur District Bank beyond the state to the national level. He said the district bank, which today does business of about Rs 6,000 crore, ranks first in Vidarbha, a result to which Babasaheb and his associates made a major contribution. He demanded that the bank begin work soon on installing the full-length statue of Babasaheb.

Hansraj Ahir said Babasaheb had relations with leaders of all parties in the district as well as the state, including senior state leader Sharadchandraji Pawar, and that he used these relations to spread the cooperative network across the district and bring it recognition. He said Babasaheb's ideas remain deeply rooted in both the city and villages, and that the bank's Sahakar Week would prove inspiring for cooperative institutions and their workers.

Presiding as chairperson, MP Pratibhatai Suresh Dhanorkar said Babasaheb Vasade started from Palasgaon Yenbodi village and set up educational institutions there for farmers in rural areas, remaining loyal to rural people while weaving a cooperative network. As a result, during his tenure the Chandrapur District Bank won the NABARD award for the self-help group scheme for six consecutive terms for its outstanding work. She said that this year the bank met its target of disbursing crop loans worth Rs 835 crore by disbursing Rs 848 crore in crop loans, and also gave loans worth Rs 187 crore to 7,074 women's self-help groups, topping the state in self-help group loan disbursement. She said lending to self-help groups first began during Babasaheb Vasade's tenure and continues today, and that the bank observing Sahakar Week across all branches and cooperative institutions in the district was the truest tribute to Babasaheb.

MLA Devrao Bhongle addressed the programme through a video message, saying the bank, following Babasaheb's ideas, is committed to making rural areas prosperous and self-reliant. The bank expressed gratitude to all farmers, women and those connected with the cooperative sector.

Present on the occasion were bank directors Sudarshan Nimkar, Ganesh Tarwekar, Rohit Bommawar, Gajanan Pachode, Jayant Tembhurde, Nishikant Borkar, Dinesh Chokhare, Ulhas Karpe, Yashwant Dighore, Dr Lalit Motghare, Damodar Misar, Dr Anil Wadhai, Nandatai Alluruwar, and chief executive officer Rajendra Kalyankar, along with a large number of farmers, self-help group women, officials and staff who follow Babasaheb.