STORY OF AYCOOPS PRESIDENT

“You study B.Com. You can work in any service co-operative bank or society,” these were the words my mother said many years ago,in 2005.

In December 2020, it was a time when political parties, officials, and journalists were running around to report news for the local government election campaigns. At that time, Shafi was working as a reporter for ETV Bharat’s Pathanamthitta bureau, a national media organization at Ramoji Film City.

One morning, a phone call came from ETV Bharat. “You need to submit your resignation letter this evening. The rest of the details will be informed later,” the HR manager said and hung up. Shafi then called colleagues to find out what was happening. He discovered that the reason for the mass layoffs was COVID-19. Losing his job so suddenly was a feeling of numbness for him. There were loans to repay and interest piling up, but he did not lose heart. He got involved in public relations and advertisements during the local elections. “I tried my best to hold on,” said Shafi.

Shafi’s house is located in Komalamkunnu, Punalur Municipality. His father was involved in the fish and sack trade, as well as public service. On holidays, Shafi would accompany his father to buy sacks along with Peeru Mohammad. While studying at the Boys Higher Secondary School for Plus Two, Shafi had a habit of cutting and keeping articles from newspapers and magazines. However, his family didn’t approve of this habit. They would question him, asking if he was going to keep cutting papers instead of studying. One day, a local news channel and newspaper covered an album of clippings Shafi had created. His father and mother, however, didn’t pay much attention to it.

He had aspirations of studying anthropology and becoming an IAS officer, but these inner desires were not understood by his family. After completing Plus Two, his mother said to him, “Go to Punalur SN College and study B.Com. You can work in any service co-operative bank or society later.” In the beginning, commuting to college was very difficult. He had no friends and was known as the quiet, good student.He faced teasing and ragging from seniors. Every day, he would go to class and then return home, living through days he didn’t enjoy. He even thought about quitting studies, but then he remembered his mother’s words and decided to continue.

After the first year, the second year began. The college atmosphere was active, and Punalur SN College had a nice campus environment, something Shafi realized was right for him later on. Months later, a notification for the college union election was announced. He heard from his classmates that it wasn’t possible to contest unless you had full attendance and good marks. Many were saying this, but Shafi didn’t pay much attention.

This marks the continuation of Shafi’s journey.

“But the next day, a group of SFI leaders came to the class. Shafi must contest. I was scared and confused.I told them that it would be enough to compete as the class representative. They said a few things and left. When I went  home, I told my parents. My father fully supported me.He was a good communist. My mother, on the other hand, was against it.

The next day when I went to college, I saw all my comrades gathered in front of the uniform shop. “From tomorrow, you need to wear a mundu (dhoti),” they said. “The campaign must start.” That’s when I realized that I was going to compete among 1000 students. I was shocked. I didn’t even know how to wear a mundu. I didn’t know how to speak either. If I looked at someone’s face while talking, my voice and words would drop. How could I contest in this situation? There were many such questions that kept disturbing me, day and night…

But that election changed me completely. During the “Meet the Candidate” program, I tied a rope around my waist, put the end of my mundu on the ground, wore plastic slippers, and said a line in front of the podium that I still remember: “Magazines that turn into five-year plans will no longer exist. If you elect me, a magazine will be released within the next six months.”

When I finished speaking, I could hear a loud applause. Along with it, there was a great deal of laughter and cheers with shouts of “Shafi will win.”

I contested for the position of Magazine Editor under the SFI panel and won with the largest majority. It was the first time I bought a new pair of shoes after third grade, and the next day I wore them to college…

I published a newspaper clipping album on Sadan Hussain’s autobiography. News stories came out in newspapers and visual media. I started reading news on local channels in Punalur. In the following months and years, I became a well-known student and a top magazine editor in college, and later, in life as a teacher.

When I was studying B.Com (Co-operation), I didn’t know anything about the Co-operative Department or Robert Owen’s cooperative theory. Due to a lack of interest in accounting and desk work, I ended my studies there.

Later, I studied Library Science, Journalism, and Mass Communication at TKM College. I worked in various roles like news reporter, program producer, presenter, sub-editor, news resource person, and creative writer in several media organizations like Fox TV, Live News, Amrita TV, Jai Hind TV, Prabhatam TV, Doordarshan, and ETV Bharat for 16 years. During this time, the Malayalam books like Arinjathum Ariyathathumaya Kalām, aa choolam vilikalil muzhangi kettathu were published.

After losing my job at ETV Bharat, I began freelance media production work. I worked full-time on satire, PR, and creative media work for regional satellite channels.

In 2021, the Kerala Co-operative Department’s social media pages and the Malayala Manorama newspaper published an advertisement stating, “Inviting youth to the Co-operative sector.” After reading it, I remembered an idea that I had from years ago. In 2016, I had thought about starting a media production house in the co-operative sector. Due to technical reasons,I had to shelve that idea back then. But in 2021, after seeing the advertisement on social media and in newspapers, I investigated further. I decided to register the Youth Co-operative Group. I called my friends, and everyone was ready. Thirty people came to register the society. I prepared the bylaws and submitted them to the Kerala government. After long discussions, the bylaws were approved.

With this new idea, in co-operative sector we designed the office differently. We created the office using unused materials. The President’s cabin was designed using a truck’s cabin, and the Secretary’s cabin was made using a jeep’s front. We even created a scooter editing cabin for the visual editor and designer. This innovative office design became a story in the media. More than 33 regional and national channels reported on Asia’s first Youth Co-operative Media Production house (AYCOOPS).

On June 21, 2021, Kerala’s Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan, inaugurated the Youth Co-operative Groups in Kerala. On December 2, 2021, the Kerala Co-operative Minister, Shri V.N. Vasavan, inaugurated the office of AYCOOPS. The society received significant media attention, including national coverage. From that point onward, AYCOOPS Ltd. (Artist Welfare Youth Co-operative Society Ltd. No. 1713) became known as Asia’s first youth co-operative media production house.

On March 2, 2022, Shafi was elected as the President of Asia’s first Youth Media Co-operative Society in the elections conducted by the State Co-operative Election Commissioner. Along with Shafi, a nine-member board leads the society. Ninesh M. (Honorary Secretary), Noufal Sha karim (Vice President), Abhimon O.S., Krishna Kumar S,Lino Reji, Ansiya Kareem,Smitha V, and Shabana Beevi are members of the board.

The Co-operative Department understood in just one year what I had learned in two years was not practical. Through AYCOOPS, we participated in South Asian Co-op pitch competitions, and I was invited to report and participate in sessions at the International Global Co-operative Conference in Delhi in 2024.

When designing AYCOOPS, I was certain that it would not just be confined to the co-operative sector. I used everything I had learned to create AYCOOPS. It opens up great job opportunities for the coming generation. The tagline is “Co-operation in Advertising.” I wanted to bring a new employment method by uniting people who had studied co-operation, creative arts, advertising, and journalism under one roof.

Before the launch of the society, AYCOOPS had produced promotional reels, documentaries, and other content for various departments, including Co-operation, Revenue, Fisheries, and Education. AYCOOPS was responsible for PR, advertising, and documentation for the Co-operative Expo 2022. The society has also received awards for media and knowledge production. We continue to provide production work for organizations like NCDC and State Co-operative Unions, creating job opportunities and providing new ideas and income models.

After seeing the impact of the society’s operations, Kerala’s management colleges have invited us to organize entrepreneurship classes. AYCOOPS is India’s first drone-operating co-operative society.

Today, the son of Jameela Beevi, who once advised me to study B.Com to become a co-operative clerk, is the President of AYCOOPS, Asia’s first Co-operative Media Production House. Shafi’s brother Rafi is also a senior cameraman. All his friends are taking Ayakoops forward with him. Shafi’s life story is an inspiration for those who dream despite the negativity.

Lastly Shafi said that,I want AYCOOPS to become the No.1 media production house in the co-operative sector. Life and profession should allow a few people to live meaningfully, and I am preparing to create co-operative films and write my next books.”

Founder of Asia’s First Youth Co-operative Media Production House
AYCOOPS LTD.

Working Formula:
B.Com Co-operation + Journalism and Mass Communication + PR & Advertisement + Library Science = AYCOOPS LTD.

Under the leadership of Mr. P. Mohammed Shafi, a journalist and program producer (current affairs) with sixteen years of experience, more than 50 young individuals came together to form the media youth cooperative group. The group has reporters, newscasters, and program producers working in live news web portals, Amrita TV, Doordarshan NRP, Prabhatam, Jaihind TV, freelance creative writing, and national media like ET TV Bharat, Times News India. Mr. Shafi has also authored three books: Arinjathum Arinjathathumaya Kalam (The Known and Unknown Kalam) / Aa Choolam Vilikalil Muzhangiketta (Echoing in the Fields).

In 2017, a concept that took shape in his mind led to the establishment of Asia’s first youth co-operative media production house. A unique blend of journalism, public relations, advertising, media management, and cooperation. AYCOOPS is a startup cooperative that will provide employment opportunities for many people. Currently, more than 40 people are directly employed, and over 20 are indirectly involved in media production work. Through AYCOOPS, we hope to create significant job opportunities. The government has facilitated many media production projects and organized seminars and awareness classes.

The AYCOOPS initiative was registered as Artist Welfare Youth Co-operative Society LTD No. Q1713 on 06/08/2021 under the second Pinarayi Vijayan government’s 100-day program. It was inaugurated on 06/09/2021 by the Honorable Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, in Thiruvananthapuram, with the Honorable Minister for Cooperation, Mr. V. N. Vasavan, also attending the inauguration of AYCOOPS’ office in Punalur on 02/12/2022. AYCOOPS has been discussed in over 33 national and Malayalam media outlets.

The cooperative group entered a new territory three years ago, filling a gap in the cooperative sector. It has collaborated on several media production projects with both central and state government agencies. The group has also worked with numerous cooperative institutions across India and has won several national awards.

As a startup youth media cooperative in the cooperative sector, we are working with good intentions for the benefit of the younger generation. Two new projects are underway, which will be useful for the cooperative sector and youth.

With experience in media production and news reporting, we have entered the cooperative sector as a youth cooperative startup. Office equipment (President’s Cabin, Secretary Cabin, Edit Suite) was created using recycled materials bought from the scrap market, a method that brought innovation. The group, consisting of artists and media professionals, is focused on introducing new methods. Cooperation officials and ministers have appreciated this initiative. In the cooperative expo, AYCOOPS set up a media room as an exhibit. Prominent newspapers such as The Hindu and Indian Express published features on AYCOOPS.