IFFCO Chairman BS Nakai passes away

Balvinder Singh Nakai, the Chairman of the Indian Farmers Fertiliser Cooperative (IFFCO), passed away on October 11. He was 86.

A veteran cooperator, Nakai was associated with IFFCO for more than five decades. Born on December 5, 1934, in Bhatinda, Punjab, he served the cooperatives throughout his life.

Nakai was nominated Director on the Board of IFFCO from October 28, 1977, to February 11, 1981, representing Punjab Markfed, Chandigarh. Since October 28, 1984, till date, he had been elected consecutively for nine terms to the Board of IFFCO.

Between 1986 and 2014, Nakai was elected Vice-Chairman to the Board of IFFCO for five terms. On May 14, 2014, he was elected Chairman to the Board of IFFCO for the first time. He was re-elected on May 9, 2019.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted on his demise: “Sardar Balvinder Singh Nakai Ji was a doyen of the agriculture and cooperatives sector. He made pioneering contributions towards empowering farmers. His passing away is saddening. Condolences to his family and well-wishers. May his soul rest in peace.”

Cooperation Minister Amit Shah said in his tweet: “Saddened to learn about the passing away of a veteran co-operator and the Chairman IFFCO, Sardar Balvinder Singh Nakai Ji. He was active in the cooperative sector for the last three decades. My deepest condolences to his bereaved family.”

IFFCO MD Dr US Awathi tweeted: “Deeply saddened & shocked by the demise of our beloved Sardar Balvinder Singh Nakai Ji, Chairman IFFCO. He was one of the greatest cooperators. My heartfelt condolences to his family. I pray to Wahe GuruJi to bestow heaven to him & courage to (the) family to bear this irreparable loss.”