The correct answer is (a), (b), (c), and (d). Explanation & Key Takeaways: The first cooperative society in the world was established in England. • Co-operatives started out as small grassroots organizations in Western Europe, North America, and Japan in the middle of the last century. • However, it is the Rochdale Pioneers that are regarded as the prototype of the modern cooperative society and the founders of the Co-operative Movement. • In 1844 a group of 28 artisans working in the cotton mills in the town of Rochdale, in the north of England established the first modern cooperative business. Related Concepts: • The characteristics/principles of cooperative society are: • Open Membership / Universality: The membership of a Co-operative Society is open to all those who have a common interest, those who are convinced of its benefits, and those who are prepared to share the benefits and responsibilities involved in such membership. • Unity or Political and Religious Neutrality: • Unity is the fundamental force behind all cooperative organizations. • It is above all beliefs, faiths, and convictions. • Voluntary Association: Members join the cooperative society voluntarily, that is, by choice. • Self-help through Mutual Cooperation: Co-operative Societies thrive on the principle of mutual help. • Principles of Publicity: The co-operative organizations do not believe in maintaining secrecy about their working and progress. • Vithalrao Vikhe Patil, who started Asia's first Co-operative sugar factory at Loni in Maharashtra was imporant memeber of the copoerative movement. • Bhausaheb hire was the real owner of Amrit Kumbh of United Maharashtra. For the education of tribal, neglected, remote and rural children, he established the Adivasi Seva Samiti in 1945 and Mahatma Gandhi Vidyamandir Sanstha in 1952 .In the year 1952, Mahatma Gandhi Vidyamandir Sanstha was established, and adopting the slogan of cooperation, Nashik District Bank, Buying and Selling Union, Girna Cooperative Sugar Factory, Farmers Union adopted the motto of cooperation. • Vaikunthbhai Mehta (26 October 1891 – 27 October 1964) was a pioneer leader of Indian Cooperative Movement. Vaikunthbhai was born at Bhavnagar in Bombay Presidency. Vaikunthbhai served the Bombay State Cooperative Bank, now Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank as Chief Executive for an uninterrupted period of about 35 years. He was the Minister of Finance and Cooperation of the then Bombay State and was the first Chairman of Khadi and Village Industries Commission. • Gadgil's involvement with the cooperative movement in Maharashtra grew as he got associated with Vithalrao Vikhe Patil, Shankarrao Dhumal (father of Ajay Dhumal), and Vaikunthbhai Mehta, three of the pioneers of Indian cooperative movement. He became a director of the Pune District Central Cooperative Bank in 1930, served as the chairman of the Maharashtra State Cooperative Bank and held the chair of the National Federation of Cooperative Banks. • Vasantrao Banduji "Vasantdada" Patil (13 November 1917 – 1 March 1989) was an Indian politician from Sangli, Maharashtra. He was known as the first modern Maratha strongman and first mass leader in Maharashtrian politics.Patil served as Chief Minister of Maharashtra from 17 May 1977 to 18 July 1978 and again from 2 February 1983 to 1 June 1985. He also served as the Governor of Rajasthan for a little under two years from 1985 to 1987. After Independence he started working on farmers' problems. • He established a Market Committee in 1951, with the intention of giving proper prices to agriculture products. In 1958, with his friends Navale, Rambhau Arwade, G.K. Devdhar, Abasaheb Shinde, Shankarao Shinde, Abasheb Kulkarni(Khebudkar he started India's largest cooperative sugar factory on 90 acres (36 ha) of land. • Bhausaheb Thorat is a key figure in the cooperative movement and is the founder of a milk co-operative and former president of the Sangamner District and State Cooperative Bank.