“The concept of ‘community-dharma,’ that is, the religion of collective unity or inherent order, proves to be especially influential. This dharma continues to pulse quietly at the root of India’s cooperative banking movement, shaping both its policies and aspirations. As we move through the process of comprehensive restructuring of cooperative institutions, turning once again to the philosophical foundation of community-dharma may illuminate the path toward a more inclusive and ethically grounded economic system.”
In the vast tapestry of Indian philosophical thought, few concepts echo as powerfully through time as samudāya-dharma—the dharma or inherent law of collective harmony. While the term is not often invoked in modern economic contexts, it pulses quietly at the heart of India’s cooperative banking movement, shaping policy and aspiration alike. As the nation undergoes a comprehensive overhaul of its cooperative institutions, revisiting the philosophical underpinning of samudāya-dharma can illuminate the path toward a more inclusive and dharmic financial ecosystem. (To continue, open the magazine)