REMEMBERING LEGEND DR. VERGHESE KURIEN!
Dr. Verghese Kurien, legend of Co.op. Milk Revolution in India called Operation Flood. He was founder chairman of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Indian Dairy Corporation (IDC) & Amul.
I worked with IDC/NDDB as accounts assistant from 1983 to 1988. Actually I joined IDC first which later on merged with NDDB. Amul's advertisement in Marathi daily newspaper Loksatta dated 9.9.2024 remembering legend Dr. V. Kurien on his 12th death anniversary recalled my memory of working young with IDC/NDDB.
-©Adv.B.S.More, 10.9.2024
INFORMATIVE RESPONSE FROM CHAT GPT:
Your write-up, *"Remembering Legend Dr. Verghese Kurien!"*, is a heartfelt tribute to a truly transformative figure in India's history. Dr. Verghese Kurien's pioneering work in the dairy sector through Operation Flood, and his foundational roles in the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), Indian Dairy Corporation (IDC), and Amul, indeed revolutionized India's milk industry and turned the country into one of the largest milk producers in the world.
You successfully convey a sense of personal connection to Dr. Kurien's legacy by sharing your experience of working at IDC/NDDB from 1983 to 1988. This detail not only provides a unique personal perspective but also adds credibility and depth to your tribute, showing that you were part of the journey that helped bring about this "White Revolution." Your reflection on the Amul advertisement and the specific date of Dr. Kurien’s death anniversary brings an emotional and nostalgic tone to the piece, highlighting how his influence continues to resonate with you decades later.
Your mention of your youthful days at IDC/NDDB also adds a layer of personal history, capturing a significant period in your life shaped by the ethos and culture of innovation and cooperation that Dr. Kurien instilled. This creates a bridge between your personal and professional life and the broader impact of Dr. Kurien's work on the nation.
To enhance the piece, you might consider expanding on how your experience working at IDC/NDDB influenced your professional growth or values. Adding a few anecdotes or reflections on what it was like to work in that environment under the broader influence of Dr. Kurien’s vision could provide more color and context to your tribute.
Overall, your write-up is a concise yet poignant acknowledgment of Dr. Kurien's immense contributions and a touching recollection of your role in the historical movement he spearheaded. It reflects both gratitude and respect for a visionary leader who transformed millions of lives through his dedication and ingenuity.
Here is a detailed overview of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the man who played a pivotal role in revolutionizing India’s dairy industry and transforming the socio-economic landscape of rural India.
### **Dr. Verghese Kurien: The Father of the White Revolution in India**
**Early Life and Education:**
- **Birth**: Dr. Verghese Kurien was born on November 26, 1921, in Kozhikode (Calicut), Kerala, India.
- **Family Background**: He was born into a Christian family that valued education. His father, Puthenparakkal Kurien, was a civil surgeon, and his mother, Molly Varghese, was a highly educated woman.
- **Education**:
- Kurien completed his schooling at Diamond Jubilee Higher Secondary School in Gobichettipalayam, Tamil Nadu.
- He obtained his B.Sc. in Physics from Loyola College, Madras (now Chennai) in 1940.
- He then went on to study engineering at the College of Engineering, Guindy (now part of Anna University) in Chennai, where he earned his B.E. (Mechanical Engineering) degree in 1943.
- Later, he received a government scholarship to study Dairy Engineering in the United States, where he earned a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (with Dairy Engineering as a minor) from Michigan State University in 1948.
**Career Beginnings and Rise to Prominence:**
- **Initial Assignment**: Upon returning to India, Dr. Kurien was mandated to serve at the Government Creamery in Anand, Gujarat, as a government of India employee. Though initially reluctant and uninspired by this assignment, he soon recognized the potential for transforming India’s dairy sector.
- **Joining Amul**: Dr. Kurien's life changed course when he met Tribhuvandas Patel, who was leading a cooperative of dairy farmers under the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers’ Union Limited (later known as Amul). Seeing the plight of dairy farmers, he was convinced by Patel to help modernize the dairy industry in Anand. Dr. Kurien resigned from his government job and joined the cooperative on May 13, 1949.
**Operation Flood and the White Revolution:**
- **Founding of Amul**: Under his leadership, the Amul cooperative began to grow rapidly. Kurien focused on improving dairy production, marketing, and distribution systems. His innovative approach and relentless drive led to the creation of a brand that became synonymous with quality and fair practices.
- **Operation Flood**: In 1970, Dr. Kurien spearheaded "Operation Flood," the world's largest dairy development program. Launched by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), which he founded in 1965, Operation Flood aimed to create a nationwide milk grid by linking milk producers across India with consumers in over 700 towns and cities. The project transformed India from a milk-deficient country to the world's largest milk producer.
- **Objectives**: Operation Flood sought to empower rural milk producers, eliminate middlemen, and provide fair and consistent prices to both farmers and consumers. It aimed to replicate the Anand model across India, establishing cooperatives and setting up modern dairy infrastructure.
- **Impact**: The program’s success lay in its focus on farmer-owned cooperatives, the introduction of new technologies (like the bulk cooler and pasteurization techniques), and the establishment of a vast network of collection, processing, and distribution channels. Operation Flood increased milk production, provided employment opportunities, and improved the nutritional standards of millions of Indians.
**Leadership Roles:**
- **National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)**: Dr. Kurien served as the founding chairman of NDDB, from its inception in 1965 until 1998. NDDB played a critical role in implementing Operation Flood and promoting cooperative dairy development across the country.
- **Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)**: Dr. Kurien was also the chairman of GCMMF, the parent company of Amul, from its inception in 1973 until his retirement in 2006.
- **Indian Dairy Corporation (IDC)**: As the founder of IDC, Dr. Kurien helped facilitate the import and sale of milk powder and butter oil during Operation Flood’s early stages.
**Major Achievements and Contributions:**
- **Empowerment of Farmers**: Dr. Kurien’s cooperative model empowered millions of small-scale dairy farmers by giving them ownership of the production and marketing process, thereby improving their income and standard of living.
- **Brand Creation**: Dr. Kurien's vision led to the creation of Amul, a globally recognized brand that became synonymous with quality dairy products. Amul’s famous mascot, the “Amul Girl,” and its witty advertisements have made it a household name in India.
- **Innovative Marketing and Technology**: Dr. Kurien's focus on marketing and technology helped revolutionize the dairy industry. The use of advanced technology, like spray drying of milk powder and mechanized milk production, ensured consistent quality and hygiene standards.
- **Promotion of Women’s Cooperatives**: Dr. Kurien championed women’s involvement in dairy cooperatives, recognizing their role in milk production. His initiatives provided rural women with economic independence and greater social status.
- **Creation of the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA)**: In 1979, Dr. Kurien established IRMA to train professional managers for rural development, combining academic knowledge with practical field experience.
**Recognition and Awards:**
- Dr. Kurien received numerous national and international awards for his contributions, including:
- **Padma Shri (1965)**
- **Padma Bhushan (1966)**
- **Padma Vibhushan (1999)**
- **Ramon Magsaysay Award (1963)** for Community Leadership.
- **World Food Prize (1989)** for his work in transforming India's dairy industry.
- **Krishi Ratna Award** from the Government of India.
- **International Person of the Year (1993)** by the World Dairy Expo.
**Books and Writings:**
- Dr. Kurien co-authored his autobiography, **“I Too Had a Dream,”** which provides insights into his philosophy, struggles, and the story behind the White Revolution. The book is a compelling narrative about the challenges and triumphs of his journey to transform India's dairy sector.
**Legacy and Death:**
- Dr. Verghese Kurien passed away on September 9, 2012, in Nadiad, Gujarat, at the age of 90. His legacy continues to inspire millions of people, particularly those in the cooperative and rural development sectors.
- Today, he is remembered as the "Milkman of India" and the architect of the White Revolution, whose pioneering work uplifted millions of farmers and made India self-sufficient in milk production.
**Conclusion:**
Dr. Verghese Kurien’s work went beyond dairy production; it was about transforming rural India through the cooperative movement. His vision and commitment to empowering farmers, especially the marginalized, made him a national icon. He demonstrated how local solutions could address global challenges, and his life remains a testament to the power of innovation, determination, and a deep-rooted desire to serve society.
By combining technical knowledge with a profound understanding of human and social dynamics, Dr. Kurien showed that sustainable development is possible when people are at the center of the process. His legacy continues to shape India's agricultural policies and cooperative models, and his name will forever be associated with India's journey toward economic self-reliance and social equity.
-Chat GPT, 10.9.2024
कोणत्याही टिप्पण्या नाहीत:
टिप्पणी पोस्ट करा