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Local Cooperative: (Amul & SEWA from India)

Often sum of the parts is larger than the parts itself. Bringing people of a region together by identifying local skills,materials and technology and then building ideas around these can lead to spectacular results.

Cooperation among people can lead to results that otherwise would be impossible to achieve. 'Amul', a dairy cooperative that started in the state of Gujarat in India 1946 is a wonderful example. Amul, now with a turnover of close to $2 billion benefitting close to 13 million milk farmers is one of the largest milk producers in the world.

The economic success of Amul as helped in bridging the social divide of caste, race, religion etc. The cooperative has also empowered women across villages, an otherwise uphill task. 

SEWA, is another example of how women have come together to give themselves work security, income security, food security and social security.

Organizations with the ability to identify such local resources should function as a enablers, providing the right infrastructure and channels to harness the local potential. In an increasingly globalized world this would also ensure that local traditions, ideas and culture are preserved.

So in brief:

1. Identify local resources and strengths.

2. Design viable ideas around them

3. Provide the right infrastructure and channels to implement the ideas

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