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Catalyzing worker co-ops & the solidarity economy

Born from 36 paise, a cooperative society will build townships for Kerala landslide survivors

Paleri Remeshan, Chairman of the Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS Ltd), traces its origin to the visionary teachings of Vagbhatananda Guru, a prominent figure of the Kerala Renaissance. In the early 20th century, Uralungal in Kozhikode faced extreme poverty, with no employment opportunities for its people.

Inspired by the Guru’s discourse at the Puthalath temple in Mahe in 1917, a group of villagers invited him to their homeland.

Under his leadership, a spiritual school was established in Karakkad. When unemployed youth approached him with skepticism, the Guru encouraged collective action rather than despair. He proposed forming a cooperative to organise laborers willing to work.

On 13 February 1925, the Unemployed Mutual Assistance Group of Mercantile Workers registered the Uralungal Kooli Velakarude Paraspara Sahaya Sahakarana Sangham, later known as ULCCS.

Read the rest at South First

 

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