Surendra Bahadur Khadka

Professor

Since its foundation days, I have been a member of Chandragiri (Chandragirian). It is my neighboring credit union with almost all the board and management members as confidants and acquaintances. Chandragiri was adjacent to my house during its initial structural set up which was the natural reason that drove my inclination towards this liberal enterprise. I was born in 2008, which means I have already become a senior citizen. I live by myself as I am single. I have farmland to look at. My age deserves privileges everywhere, not to forget at my own credit union, Chandragiri. I have deposited my hard earned savings at Chandragiri. Fortunately, I did not have the need to borrow during my heydays, too so I did not enjoy the credit facility but Chandragiri has better taught me ways of saving increment. In fact, as a believer of simple living I did not venture into taking up risks so credit has remained at arm's length in life till date. However, I do have regular transactions including monthly regular saving and frequent withdrawals as I keep utilizing certain portion of money for the purpose of giving back to society. My past experience as a teacher and an agile credit union member tells that credit unions care and balm the wounds of members besides providing savings and credit facilities. In fact, they are our financial advisors, counselors and companions. They do not simply lend and borrow, they love and back members' businesses to the best of their ability. In the current highly competitive and individualistic societal fabric, demutualization is endeavoring to overshadow our core socio cultural attachments. People, especially youths are disintegrated, detached and demotivated. To better cope with such adversities, cooperatives are one of the best institutions. At heart, cooperatives promote mutuality, cooperation, pluralism, inclusion and democratic practices. Chandragiri aptly fits in this context and has never deviated from the globally accepted cooperative doctrines. What I like more about Chandragiri is that besides core financial facilities, it has focused its attention towards honing the much needed soft skills like leadership, rapport building, communication culture; team skills, flexibility, etc. Truly speaking, these traits have remained as Chandragiri's cornerstones. Society is in dire need of these at-times-forgotten aspects and my credit union is working to flower these prerequisites for a good society. Consequently, it has earned repute not only at community level but at the national and international fronts as well. Chandragiri ensures grey haired members with positive discrimination. Although, it has M-banking and other facilities, about which it keeps on informing and updating members, ambulance, hearse, pilgrimage visits and blood donation programs are primary concerns for members of my age group. I have not savored other innovative add on as they have become non-essentials to me. Nonetheless, I am thankful that they are working tirelessly to match up to the multiplying expectations of energetic and youthful members. For me the most important thing is uncompromised safety and security of my deposits with easy withdrawal and good return facility. Till date Chandragiri has successfully catered my need and as a result my unwavering trust with it has further solidified. What more can I expect? Of lately, I have made up my mind to forsake my association with other credit unions and stick to Chandragiri due to convenience and government and legal provisions regarding dual membership.