Thoughts of Shri Sudhakar Satone
Experiences, thoughts, and inspiration from the journey of the institution.
Shri Sudhakar Satone
Founder Chairman
Wardha Urban And Rural Co-Operative Credit Society, Ltd. Wardha
Wardha Urban and Rural Co-operative Society Ltd., Wardha (Multi-State) is a cooperative movement of the state. It was established in 1994 by Shri Sudhakar Satone, the Founder Chairman of the institution, who was a pioneer in starting such a cooperative credit society in the small village of Borgaon (Meghe). Due to his continuous efforts, the institution stands in its present position today. He is aware of the hardships faced by the poor sections of society. Motivated by the spirit of self-help, he has worked tirelessly for the economic progress of the underprivileged. Small loans and easy repayment schedules are the culture of the institution. Therefore, the institution has strengthened its hold on the horizon of the heart of the region.
Shri Sudhakar Satone – Owner of an Immense Personality
Personality is a gift from God. It is through personality that others recognise a person’s nature and character. To be blessed with an attractive personality is indeed a matter of great fortune. Although it is a gift of God, making one’s personality attractive depends upon one’s own achievements and capabilities. Very few people can accomplish this.
One such owner of an extraordinary and attractive personality is Shri Sudhakar Satone. Just as a stone must endure the blows of a hammer to become a deity, Bhau had to undergo an extremely difficult journey to reach where he is today. He was born into poverty. Therefore, he became acquainted with hard work at an early age. He lost the shelter of his father during childhood. His primary education was completed in his maternal uncle’s village. Later, to support the family, he drove an auto-rickshaw for some time. Having personally experienced the hardships of poverty, he always had a desire to do something for the poor and for the people of his village. During this period, inspired by his extraordinary personality and spiritual thinking, Bhau conceived the idea of a credit society similar to those that had brought development to Western Maharashtra.
To solve the problems of the poor through cooperation, he established a society in 1994 under the name Meher Gramin Sahakari Patsanstha. Later, it was renamed Wardha Urban and Rural Co-operative Credit Society. At that time, the society had a share capital of only ₹12,500. He started this mission with such a small amount of capital. However, there was opposition and discouragement from all sides regarding his efforts. Even then, without fear or hesitation, he continued the work of the institution through his own determination and capability. Through this, he assumed a dual role of reducing unemployment in society and helping establish industries.
Possessing leadership qualities and determination , Bhau initiated several innovative social activities through the credit society. Not limiting himself only to the institution’s financial activities and recognising the importance of social responsibility, he established the Wardha Urban Charitable Trust. Through this trust, various social activities were undertaken for all sections of society, keeping in mind the needs of the time and place. With the vision of winning people’s hearts through social service and ensuring that Wardha Urban would be connected to this soil not merely as an institution but as a family, he began this work. As a result, the institution has emerged as one of the leading credit societies in the district.
Today, the institution has a total of 14 branches. Keeping the interests of farmers in mind, it operates two of its own warehouses. Additionally, warehouses are functioning under the “Lock and Key” Scheme at Deoli and Umri (Meghe). At present, the institution is reaching the milestone of ₹200 crores. Along with this, efforts have been made to reduce unemployment to some extent by providing direct employment to unemployed youth in society.
Employees work in the institution not merely as staff members but as members of a family. The reason behind this is the respect, honour, and prestige they receive in addition to their salary. Just as a person requires proper earnings for the livelihood of his family, self-respect is equally necessary for living in society. Every employee receives self-respect while working in the institution.
Apart from salary, financial assistance is provided every year for the education of employees’ children. In addition, every employee is covered under General Insurance and a policy from the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC). Keeping employees’ future in mind, contributions toward the Provident Fund and Gratuity are made to the government. Furthermore, after marriage, employees are sent on a four-day trip. Once every two years, each employee is also provided with an LTC (Leave Travel Concession) facility to travel anywhere in the country with their family.
It is for these reasons that every employee expresses love, loyalty, respect, and trust toward Bhau, considering him a member of their own family. Bhau fully understands how to preserve the love and trust given by his employees. Therefore, he diligently resolves every issue concerning employees, whether institutional or personal. He guides them on how challenges can be overcome collectively and how they can emerge from difficult situations. As a result, every employee feels that there is a strong support system behind them.
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