Satish Marathe is a name synonymous with the unwavering commitment to the cooperative movement in India. For more than five decades, he has dedicated his life to the advancement of this cause, making his 75th birthday a momentous occasion for all who work in the cooperative sector.
In celebration of this remarkable milestone, Sahakar Bharati will be honouring Marathe with an Amrit Mahotsav at the Swami Narayan Mandir in Dadar on February 19, 2025, at 11 a.m.
Born on February 1, 1950, Satish Marathe graduated in Commerce and Law from the University of Bombay and was conferred with a Gold Medal for his Diploma in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan. Marathe began his banking career with Bank of India and later rose to prominence as the CEO of Janakalyan Sahakari Bank Ltd. His exceptional leadership led him to become the Chairman and CEO of The United Western Bank Ltd., where he steered the institutions towards sustained growth. His extensive experience has also led him to serve as a Director on the Reserve Bank of India board for two consecutive terms.
Strongly associated with RSS, he served as National Treasurer of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. He was detained under the draconian MISA for participating second freedom fighting movement, emergency era, under the leadership of Jay Prakash Narayan in 1975.
A founding member of Sahakar Bharati, Shri Marathe has played a pivotal role in expanding its influence nationwide. The organisation’s guiding principle, “विना संस्कार नही सहकार, विना सहकार नही उद्धार”—meaning “No cooperation without values, and no upliftment without cooperation”—reflects his core belief that cooperation must be rooted in ethical values. His leadership journey with Sahakar Bharati saw him serve as Maharashtra General Secretary, National General Secretary, National President, and Patron. Under his stewardship, Sahakar Bharati has become the largest NGO in the cooperative sector, engaging with over 40,000 cooperatives across India. The organization has been instrumental in economically empowering individuals and fostering social inclusion through the cooperative model.
A man of vision, Marathe also established the Centre for Studies and Research in Cooperation (CSRC) to promote research and education in the cooperative sector. His expertise has been invaluable at the national level, where he served as a member of the National Committee for drafting the New National Cooperative Policy under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India. His analytical prowess and swift decision-making abilities have also led him to hold prominent roles, including Director at the National Housing Bank, Independent Director at the Indian Institute of Insolvency Professionals of ICAI, Member, Expert Committee, Study on Relevance, Applicability and Retention of Three-Tier Short Term Cooperative Credit Structure (STCS), Ministry of Cooperation, GOI and Member of the Expert Committee on the Short-Term Cooperative Credit Structure under the Ministry of Cooperation, Government of India. He is championing cause of empowering PACs & Primary Milk Societies and relentlessly pursuing cause of re-writing State and Central enactments.
Marathe’s contributions extend to various other key position such as Hon. Secretary of the Indian Banks’ Association, Vice President of the Private Sector Banks’ Association, Director at the National Cooperative Development Corporation, and Member of several government committees, including the High Power Committee for Weak UCBs and the Maharashtra State Cooperative Council.
In addition to his exceptional work in the cooperative sector, Marathe has made substantial contributions to education and social welfare. He served as the President of Pragati Pratishthan for 15 years and currently serves as Trustee, running a residential school dedicated to the education and care of tribal children who are dumb and mute, located in Jawhar, District Palghar. His commitment to social service extends to his role as the Working President of Siddharth Vidyalaya, a prominent educational institution in Kalyan, which focuses on holistic development and quality education for underprivileged children.
In 2015, IFFCO recognised his exceptional service to the cooperative sector by awarding him the Sahakarita Ratna Award. For several years, he has been a representative of the cooperative sector in Pre-Budget consultations with the Finance Ministers of India.
Marathe’s personality is a reflection of his core values—unassuming, selfless, and steadfast in his principles. His soft-spoken nature and tireless work ethic have earned him admiration from colleagues and workers alike. His personal relationships, grounded in humility and sincerity, have endeared him to not only the members of Sahakar Bharati but also to all who come in contact with him.
On the auspicious occasion of Satish Marathe’s Amrit Mahotsav, we offer our deepest respect and heartfelt wishes for his continued health and longevity. His invaluable contributions to the cooperative movement have shaped its very foundation, and we pray that his wisdom continues to inspire future generations.
