A century of providing, this co-op society hasn’t run out of steam

Aakanksha N Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, September 1

Known for its innovations and novel ideas, Hoshiarpur-based Lambra Kangri Multipurpose Co-operative Service Society, which came into existence in the year 1920, is the apple of the eye of villagers of Lambra.

Ask anyone about their deeds and they only have words of praise. One of the major works that the society has done is founding of a biogas plant in the village. With it's help, the dwellers have been able to shun LPG cylinders and are using biogas instead.

When the residents of even urban areas are devoid of the facility of home delivery of gas through pipes, residents of a remote village are enjoying it. The project was installed in 2016 here.

The society recently completed 100 years. Established by forefathers of Jaswinder Singh, the project manager, in all these years the foundation has always been on the forefront catering to the villagers' needs. Meanwhile, IAS Kahn Singh Pannu has adopted the society.

The biogas meters as well as chullahs are provided to the members by the society on its own expense. The meters are installed in the houses that measure the amount of gas used. Even the Government Senior Secondary School, Lambra, is reaping the benefits - it helps in the preparation of the mid-day meal for students.

For this, the society was also awarded with Dr Shirin Gadhia Sustainability Award by Eco Center ICNEER (International Centre for Networking Ecology, Education Re-Integration) in association with Muni Sewa Ashram. The award recognises people who have contributed to the cause of sustainability.

In another project, the society has been using rice husk ash to purify water. As it's disposal is a big problem, the society found a way to use it as a medium to clean water. Committee members said the project is cheaper and the treated water through this technique is also used in fields and is beneficial for crops. "As compared to the other techniques, this is way too natural and cheaper. Under this technique, waste and unclean water is passed through rice husk ash," said Jaswinder.

Recently, when the farmers faced problems because of shortage of labour during lockdown, the society gave opportunities to local youngsters to work for them and operate the machines.

From agri to multipurpose society

Jaswinder, while sharing an anecdote, said earlier it was an agricultural society and was providing only agri-related services. "One day, one of the villagers, who had come from abroad, told my father that the condition of the village was the same as it was when he had left for overseas. As no transportation facility was available, he had to walk from Bullhowal to Hariana village for some work. "The society then purchased a tempo-taxi, faced some problems from the department officials as they were asked to not work as a transport society," he shared. Afterwards, the then Joint Registrar KS Pannu was consulted. He was moved after seeing the enthusiasm of the society's members and himself decided to adopt the society and raised its status to the multipurpose society in 1999.