A memorial plaque for Rafgat Safiullin was unveiled in Kazan.

      A memorial plaque for Rafgat Safiullin – the former head of Tatpotrebsoyuz – was unveiled today in Kazan. He led the consumer cooperation system of the republic from 1970 to 1992 and initiated higher cooperative education in the TASSR. “Today is a very significant event – we are unveiling a memorial plaque for a legendary person who actively developed consumer cooperation in our republic for 22 years,” said the President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov at the ceremonial event. He noted that he himself worked in the consumer cooperation system under Safiullin's leadership. “We worked in a difficult time, there was a shortage. And, perhaps, if it weren't for Rafgat Faizullovich, we, the young ones, could have gotten confused. He was a model leader. And this modest, responsible man was an example for us. We will always remember him as an elder comrade, a mentor, and a public figure,” said the President of Tatarstan. Minnikhanov emphasized that it is impossible to consider the agro-industrial complex and the social development of the village without the consumer cooperation system. “The quality of life of the rural population largely depends on the work of Tatpotrebsoyuz organizations,” he noted. The unveiling of the memorial plaque for Rafgat Safiullin was one of the events of the International Forum on Consumer Cooperation “Youth of Cooperation: Uniting Resources for Industry Development,” which is taking place in Kazan. It is timed to the 195th anniversary of the establishment of consumer cooperation in Russia and the 110th anniversary of consumer cooperation in Tatarstan. “Cooperation has been developing for so many years largely because it is our tradition to honor the memory of industry veterans, people who created our future. We have great respect for our veterans. It is important for students to know them as well. There are many dynasties in our industry. We have programs to support dynasties,” noted the chairman of the Council of the Central Union of Consumer Societies of Russia Dmitry Zubov. Relatives of Safiullin were also present at the ceremony. His daughter Lilia thanked on behalf of the entire family for the installation of the memorial plaque. “My father was born in the village of Sukhiye Kurnali in the Alekseyevsky district. He began his career as a history teacher and then devoted his entire life to consumer cooperation. We were constantly surrounded by his vibrant energy. Education was always important to him. He said, ‘We must develop, grow.’ He brought us books, and thanks to him, we read a lot,” she shared her memories. Lilia added that her father believed in goodness, always thought about people, and was honest, modest, and hardworking. The memorial plaque is installed on the facade of the Kazan Cooperative Institute – a branch of the Russian University of Cooperation, located on Yershov Street. In this building, on October 13, 1987, at the initiative of Safiullin, the Kazan branch of the Moscow Cooperative Institute was opened.