GELEPHU MINDFULNESS CITY – INTERNATIONAL REALTIONS

Gelephu Mindfulness City – INTERNATIONAL REALTIONS

NEWS: PM inaugurates the first International Global Cooperative Conference in Delhi, says the current situation in the world can be a big opportunity for cooperative movement.

WHAT’S IN THE NEWS?

  1. Introduction to Gelephu Mindfulness City
    • Visionary Project: Gelephu Mindfulness City is being pitched as Bhutan’s largest cooperative project. It is a 2,500 sq. km “Zero Carbon” city initiative led by Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay.
    • Support from India: The project is significantly backed by India, with gratitude expressed by Prime Minister Tobgay during the “Global Conference of the International Cooperative Alliance.”
  2. Leadership and Diplomatic Ties
    • Relationship Between Leaders: Prime Minister Modi referred to Tshering Tobgay as his “younger brother,” while Tobgay called Modi his “elder brother” and “mentor.” The exchange highlighted the close diplomatic ties between India and Bhutan.
    • Language of Address: Parts of Prime Minister Tobgay’s speech were delivered in Hindi, signaling cultural and diplomatic alignment with India.
  3. Features of the Mindfulness City
    • Core Principles: The city aims to be a hub of knowledge, technology, and finance, grounded in mindfulness, sustainability, and harmony.
    • Citizen Involvement: Every Bhutanese citizen is envisioned as a shareholder and stakeholder, fostering a sense of collective ownership and cooperative spirit.
  4. Bhutan's Diplomatic Engagement with India
    • High-Level Visits: Since the city’s announcement in December, Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck has visited India twice to discuss development plans and seek investment.
    • Targeted Collaborations: The focus is on attracting Indian private sector investment in infrastructure, particularly in hospitality, education, IT, and wellness.

Global Conference of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)

  1. Historic Event in India

·         Inauguration by Prime Minister Modi: The first-ever ICA Global Cooperative Conference held in India was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

·         Dates and Venue: The event takes place from November 25 to 30 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, hosted by IFFCO in collaboration with ICA, AMUL, and KRIBHCO.

·         Attendance: Nearly 3,000 delegates, including 1,000 from 100 different countries, are participating.

  1. Prime Minister Modi’s Address

·         Cooperative Expansion: Modi highlighted India's achievement of over 800,000 cooperatives across the nation, emphasizing the need for global financial institutions to support cooperative movements worldwide.

·         Circular Economy Link: He advocated linking cooperatives to the circular economy to enhance resilience to climate change.

·         Promoting Start-ups: Modi called for innovative strategies to support cooperative-based start-ups.

Themes and Goals of the ICA Conference

  1. Primary Theme: “Cooperatives Build Prosperity for All”

·         Alignment with Indian Vision: The conference’s theme aligns with India’s motto of “Sahkar Se Samriddhi” (Prosperity through Cooperation).

·         Focus Areas: Discussion topics include poverty alleviation, gender equality, and sustainable economic growth in the context of cooperatives.

  1. UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025

·         Launch by Prime Minister Modi: The UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 was launched at the conference, highlighting the importance of cooperatives in sustainable development.

·         Focus of the Year: The theme, “Cooperatives Build a Better World,” underscores their role in promoting social inclusion, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability.

Highlights of the Inauguration and Commemorations

  1. Special Initiatives Launched

·         Commemorative Postal Stamp: A postal stamp was released to symbolize India’s commitment to the cooperative movement. The design features a lotus, representing peace, strength, and growth, with five petals symbolizing the elements of nature.

·         Sectoral Representation: The stamp highlights sectors like agriculture, dairy, fisheries, consumer cooperatives, and housing, with a drone representing modern agricultural technology.

  1. Cooperative and Sustainable Development

·         Focus on UN SDGs: Cooperatives are recognized as key players in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in reducing inequality, promoting decent work, and alleviating poverty.

·         Global Initiative for 2025: The year 2025 will focus on showcasing the impact of cooperative enterprises in tackling global challenges.

Impact and Implications of Cooperative Movement

  1. Promoting Global Cooperative Network
    • Broad Representation: The conference features participants from over 100 countries, aiming to strengthen the global cooperative movement and share best practices.
    • Strategic Cooperation: India’s hosting of the ICA Conference demonstrates its leadership role in the cooperative sector and its commitment to global economic cooperation.
  2. Economic and Social Impact
    • Prosperity through Cooperation: The cooperative model is being positioned as a sustainable pathway to prosperity for rural areas, women, and farmers, aligning with India’s socio-economic goals.
    • Technological Integration: Modern technology and innovations are integral to the future of cooperatives, as seen in the emphasis on tech-enabled PACS and start-up support.

Geopolitical and Regional Significance

  1. Strengthening India-Bhutan Relations

·         Strategic Partnership: The Gelephu Mindfulness City project signifies a deepening of economic and strategic ties between India and Bhutan, with India playing a major role in Bhutan’s sustainable development.

·         Regional Stability: The project also reinforces India’s influence in South Asia, enhancing regional cooperation on sustainable urban development.

  1. Showcasing Bhutan’s Cooperative Approach

·         Unique Cooperative Model: Bhutan’s approach to the Gelephu City as a cooperative effort involving all citizens presents a model of collective ownership that can inspire similar initiatives in other regions.

·         International Visibility: Bhutan’s presence at the ICA Conference and its collaboration with India elevate its profile in the international cooperative community.