A man whose achievements defied those of
ordinary mortals, whose single‐minded
mission of rural empowerment transformed
a nation, and whose efforts propelled India
into a global dairying power….the legend
lives on. Tributes galore have been paid to
the achievements of Dr Verghese Kurien.
Today, as we celebrate Indian Milk Day, it is
time to look back and ruminate on what
made Dr Kurien one of India’s most potent
agents of change. Let us ponder on the vision
of a man who continues to be relevant not
just today, but will be the guiding light in all
Dr. Verghese Kurien future endeavours related to dairying, rural
and socio‐economic upliftment. Let us
The Legend Liv
Leg es on
Lives examine the immense contributions of his
oft‐replicated Cooperative model as well as
myriad other successes.
The Man, the Vision, the Legacy Producers Union Limited (KDCMPUL) at Anand, was
D
r. Verghese Kurien was born on November 26, facing stiff challenges from the privately owned Polson
1921 at Kozhikode, Kerala. His father was a Dairy, which had hitherto monopolized the dairy trade.
Civil Surgeon in Cochin and mother was a highly KDCMPUL had been formed in 1946 under the initiative
educated Syrian Christian lady. He graduated in Physics of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Enthused by the challenge
from Loyola College, Madras in 1940 and then did of doing something for the milk farmers, Dr. Verghese
B.E. (Mech) from the University of Madras. He went Kurien resigned from his government job and volunteered
to USA on a government scholarship to earn his Masters to help Shri Tribhuvandas Patel, the Chairman of
in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University KDCMPUL. As Manager, Dr. Kurien provided the
from where he passed with distinction. necessary administrative and scientific direction to the
Dr. Kurien returned from America in 1948 and dairy union leading to its rapid expansion.
joined the Dairy Department of Government of India. By 1962, the Cooperative which was organized in
In May 1949, he was posted as Dairy Engineer at the 1948 by combining two village milk producer societies
Government Research Creamery, a small milk-powder stood transformed. Dr. Kurien’s efforts had brought
factory in Anand. At this time the newly formed into the Milk Producers’ Union 219 farmer societies
cooperative dairy, Kaira District Cooperative Milk with 46,400 members.
The Taste of India…
Dr. Kurien realized the importance of brand PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
in order to market the milk products of the Union. Positions held
The catchy brand name AMUL (an acronym for Chairman, National Cooperative Dairy Federation
Anand Milk Union Ltd.) was derived from the of India Limited
Sanskrit word “Amoolya” which means priceless. Chairman, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing
The brand which was launched in Oct 1955 and Federation Ltd, Anand
registered in 1957 soon became a household name. Chairman, Board of Governors, Institute of Rural
Management, Anand
The birth and growth of AMUL tells the oft-
Chairman, Tribhuvandas Foundation, Anand
documented success story which has served as a
Chairman, Amul Relief Trust
model for not just Indian cooperatives but has
Chairman, Viksit Bharat Foundation
been replicated in several parts of the world.
Chairman, National Dairy Development Board (1965-
Amul formed several co-operative societies 1998)
for a group of villages. These co-operative societies Chairman, Kiriya Milk Industries of Lanka Private
collected milk from the village farmers twice a Limited (1997-2000)
day. The payment was made to farmers according Chairman, Indian Dairy Machinery Company (P)
to the fat content in the milk. Sufficient steps Ltd. (1992- 2001)
(such as standard fat measurement machine, Chairman, Board of Directors, Hindustan Packaging
surprise checks, educating farmers etc.) were taken Company Limited (1987-1999)
to prevent malpractices and enhance the overall Chairman, Board of Anandalaya Education Society,
process. The milk was then transferred to nearby Anand (1988-2001)
Milk Chiller Unit on the same day. It was kept in Chairman, Bharat Aseptic Packaging Industries Ltd.
storage for a few hours before being transferred (Polar Chem-Coats Ltd) (1992- 2003)
Chairman, Technology Mission on Dairy
for pasteurization and finally to the cooling and
Development
packaging unit. The efficient upstream supply
Member, Technology Mission on Oilseeds Policy,
chain was entirely designed by Dr. Kurien and
Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India
Mr. Tribhuvandas Patel and by the end of 1960 Chairman, Gujarat Electricity Board (1960- 1966)
Amul had become a major success story in Gujarat. Chairman, Board of Governors, Institute of
This cooperative model not only made farmers Agriculture, Anand (1969-1972)
earn more, but also brought about a social revolution Chairman, Gujarat State Cooperative Cotton
by empowering women, increasing hygiene and Marketing Federation Limited, Ahmedabad (1975-
medical standards of both people and cattle, and 1981)
breaking caste and religious distinctions. Chancellor, Gujarat Agricultural University,
A singular achievement of Dr. Kurien, a feat Dantiwada (1984-1985)
at that time thought quite preposterous and impossible Director, Bank of Baroda (upto 1969)
by global standards, was being able to produce Director, Central Board, Reserve Bank of India (1972-
milk powder from buffalo milk. 1983)
Director, Industrial Development Bank of India,
NDDB
Bombay (1972-76)
In 1965, the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur
Director, Life Insurance Corporation of India Limited,
Shastri, created the National Dairy Development
Bombay (1970-1974)
Board (NDDB) with Dr. Verghese Kurien at the
helm to replicate the success story of Amul throughout scaling up the Anand Pattern Cooperative model all
the country. Dr Kurien was the Chairman of NDDB over India. Dr. Kurien ensured that NDDB set up for
from 1965 to 1998. Under his leadership the mission the purpose remained autonomous — legally and
achieved thrust and direction with the launch of ‘Operation financially. He insisted on making farmers’ cooperatives
Flood’. an integral part of ‘Operation Flood’. Started in 1970
Operation Flood and culminating in 1996, it was one of the world's
‘Operation Flood’ was aimed at replicating and largest rural development programmes.
Director of GCMMF. Under his stewardship India
became the largest producer of milk in the world.
Today, GCMMF is a ` 18,000 crore federation
and Amul is one of India’s strongest names.
With the demise of Dr. Kurien, the song might
have ceased, but the melody lingers on. At present,
his model of cooperative dairy development links
over 10 million farmers at 200 dairies across
India producing over 20 million litres of milk
every day.
IRMA
Dr. Kurien realized the importance of quality
managers to serve the needs of rural farmers.
He exhorted professionals to come forward to
lead and work for rural India. With the help of
like-minded people, he set about establishing the
Institute of Rural Management
“
A National Milk Grid linked (IRMA) at Anand, Gujarat. A
milk producers throughout India Self‐reliance means many pioneering institute, it provides
with consumers in over 700 towns things to many people. For me, management training and research
and cities, reducing seasonal and self‐reliance will be achieved the support to rural cooperatives.
regional price variations while day the last citizen of India is able IRMA’s basic premise, as
ensuring that the producer gets to afford and buy the milk and borne out by Dr. Kurien’s work
fair market prices in a transparent milk products she desires. in dairy cooperatives, is that the
”
manner and on a regular basis. … Let us look beyond. key for effective rural development
Dr. Kurien as the main lies in professional management.
architect of “Operation Flood,” He once said, “Students of IRMA
“
helped usher a “White Revolution” should lead. Of course, when you
in India. Popularly known as the We must create the lead you have to walk with the
Anand Model, the programme financial, physical, research and others. You cannot lead unless you
assured a better economic future extension, education and training, work with others.” Chairman of
and sustenance for nine million transportation, communication and IRMA from 1979 to 2005, IRMA
farm households in 75,000 villages information infrastructure on which gained momentum to become one
in India. NDDB has since a modern diary industry must of the country’s best management
integrated 96,000 dairy depend. We must innovate ‐ new institutes under his guidance.
cooperatives in a milk grid products, new processes, new A Man of Exceptional
following the ‘Anand Pattern’. markets, better marketing ‐ the Abilities
GCMMF Indian Dairy Association was
imperatives of a sustainable future.
”
In 1973, Dr. Kurien set up privileged to have Dr Kurien as
GCMMF (Gujarat Cooperative
It is a task of all these years. its President during 1964 - 1965
“
Milk Marketing Federation) which where he left an indelible
brought under its umbrella the If we are to compete impression. In 1965, he had to leave
various village cooperatives of internationally, our goal must be to IDA to head the newly formed
Gujarat. They could now compete NDDB. His association with IDA
with the private sector as a
produce the world's finest milk and however remained strong. In 1978,
milk products at internationally
”
combined and stronger force. he delivered the Inaugural Address
From 1973 to 2005 Dr. Kurien competitive prices. at 14th Dairy Industry Conference
was the Chairman cum Managing (DIC) in Bangalore. In 1983, he
delivered the Keynote address at most important of values. If you
a symposium on Socio-economic are always honest to yourself, it
Impact of Operation Flood at IDA does not take much effort in
(West Zone). Further, the 27 th always being honest with others”.
DIC was held at Anand in 1996 Dr. Kurien has helped to
coinciding with the Golden Jubilee lay the foundation of democratic
celebrations of Amul. Befitting the enterprise. By successfully
stature of its illustrious President, involving the people in their own
IDA instituted the Dr. Kurien development he gave meaning
Award to honour persons who to what is today called
have rendered valuable service “grassroots participation”. The
to the dairy sector. way was fraught with challenges
In his memoirs, ‘I Too Had but each time he lived up to them.
a Dream’, published in 2005, Dr. “In every crisis, if you look
Kurien says “… the leader has carefully, you will spot an
to set a personal example and opportunity. My insistence is on
make others understand in what finding and seizing that
ways ‘change’ is going to be opportunity. I never try to side-
useful. I believe that professionals step a crisis.” Truly, this pioneer's
working in our organizations must life serves as a lesson in
have clarity of thought combined leadership and enterprise.
with a passionate pursuit of Dr. Kurien’s proactive
mastery of their subject.” professional career lasted almost
Awards six decades. He retired in 2006, having been a source
During his scintillating career, the “Father of the of inspiration to a legion of followers. In the 1940’s
White Revolution” won many accolades and awards. and 50’s, when industrial reforms in India were unheard
The house where he and his wife lived in Anand was of, he formed one of the biggest cooperative movements
converted into the Amul museum and most of his awards for milkmen.
are displayed there. According to Dr. Kurien, the more The Future
than 150 awards and citations from across the world Dr. Kurien’s baton has passed on to succeeding
which are housed in that museum are testimonials to generations. With the advent and growth of the private
the achievement of India’s dairy farmers. sector, it would seem dairying in India is set for an
Personal Life and Philosophy overhaul. None but the great Dr Kurien realized that
Dr. Kurien considered Tribhuvandas Patel his ‘change was the only constant’. But this change had
mentor and was greatly inspired by his ideals and values. to be ushered keeping in mind the welfare of the rural
In his autobiography, he says he deliberately chose to dairy milk producers. Any change that was based solely
remain an “employee of farmers all his life” when he on the intent of profiteering was doomed as the lot of
could have had the best of careers anywhere else. He the farmers remained unchanged. It is here that the
often stressed the importance of integrity and honesty seeds of institution building and social entrepreneurship
in one's life. “I have always spoken of integrity as the laid by Dr. Kurien in the last century find relevance. It
AWARDS
Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership (1963) Padma Shri (1965) Padma
Bhushan (1966) Krishi Ratna Award (1986) Wateler Peace Prize Award of Carnegie Founda-
tion (1986) Krishi Ratna Award (1986) the World Food Prize(1989) World Food Prize Laure-
ate (1989) International Person of the Year(1993) by the World Dairy Expo, Madison, USA, and
Padma Vibhushan (1999).
LANDMARKS
Honorary Degrees
Doctor of Science, Michigan State University, USA (1965)
Doctor of Laws, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK (1974)
Doctor of Science, Acadia University, Canada (1985)
Doctor of Humane Letters, Ottawa University, Canada (1985)
Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from Anna University, Madras (1988)
Doctor of Public Service (DPS) from the University of New England, Australia (1989)
Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from University of Guelph, Canada (1991)
Doctor of Science from Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidya Nagar (1992)
Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) from Andhra Pradesh Agricultural University,
Hyderabad (1996)
Doctor of Philosophy (Honoris Causa) from Gujarat Agricultural University,
Anand (1996)
Doctor of Social Sciences (Honoris Causa) from the University of Roorkee (2000)
Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) from the Kerala Agricultural University, Thrissur (2000)
elaborates on how an tion once again. The sur-
individual with personal vival of milch buffalo breeds
integrity along with and their dominant role in
commitment, dedication and the dairy industry today is
the national spirit can bring primarily because of milk
about social and economic purchase and pricing pro-
transformation. cedures introduced by the
Ahead of his times, visionary.”
Dr. Kurien was the first Tenets that Hold
to advocate women True
empowerment. He Some of Dr. Kurien’s
affirmed that the White iconic beliefs can serve as
Revolution or ‘Operation a beacon to successive
Flood’ — the greatest and dairying generations:
most successful In his book ‘An
cooperative endeavour in the world — was almost entirely Unfinished Dream’ (foreword by Nobel laureate Norman
due to the commitment of rural women. Dr. M.S. Borlaug) he says “Cooperatives was an act of faith for
Swaminathan in his tribute to the legend published in me. My unfinished dream will only be accomplished when
September 2012 of ‘Indian Dairyman’ says that Dr. the farmers of India have a level playing field to compete
Kurien realized the importance of a decentralized with other forms of business….”
production of milk primarily by women and supported Meticulous to the end, Dr. Kurien placed great
by key centralized services in animal nutrition and emphasis on the role of the professional. To become an
processing. With Cooperative milk societies he developed agent of change, he has to perform 5 tasks: Mastering
the ‘one stop’ method of meeting the needs of over one’s subject; a focus on other’s need; an internalization
75 million women milk producers. of the exterior world one serves; constructive iconoclasm
Further, India has today realized the worth of its towards one’s bureaucracy; and clarity of mind about
sizeable buffalo population-the country needs to har- the elements which make up great endeavours.
ness this advantage fully in order to forge ahead of Technology
other dairying nations. As Dr. Swaminathan says, In Dr. Kurien’s words, “the exploitation of technology
“Thanks to Dr Kurien’s emphasis on payment based has been central to our success in increasing the national
on butterfat content, the buffalo started gaining atten- milk supply. Dryers, UHT tetra-pak processing, modern
MILESTONES IN THE KURIEN GRAPH
1949 – Verghese Kurien arrives in Anand to begin his career
at the Govt. Research Creamery
– persuaded by Shri Tribhuvandas Patel, Chairman of
KDCMPUL to set up dairy processing plant
1955 Birth of ‘Amul’ (Anand Milk Union Ltd.)
– Dr. Kurien successfully produces milk powder from
buffalo milk
1965 Creation of NDDB by Prime Minister, Shri Lal Bahadur
Shastri with Dr. Kurien as Chairman
1970 NDDB launches Operation Flood
1973 Establishment of GCMMF (which owns & markets Amul)
with Dr. Kurien as its Chairman
1999 Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan
2006 – Retires from active service.
– Stays on in his beloved Anand which he made his home
nearly six decades ago.
2012 The legend passes away
vaccines, least cost feeds — all of these have contributed Today, we find ourselves in the thick of a raging
to a modern and efficient dairy industry that returns debate on FDI. In this context it is important to remember
more to the producer. how Dr. Kurien, decades ago, turned the tables around
Cooperative Leadership a possible international conspiracy. By dumping butter
India has learnt the abiding value of growth led by oil and milk powder on to a poor nation like India, the
cooperatives through Dr. Kurien’s example. Cooperatives Europeans would have killed our market, competitiveness,
help ensure that our economy is built on a strong agricultural and abilities. Kurien used these very tools to launch
foundation. They can help develop a new generation of ‘Operation Flood’ to make India self-sufficient in milk
leaders who are able to rise above considerations of and even export dairy products. The onus of carrying
self. forward these gains now rests on us.
Purposeful Co-existence Progressive and forward-looking to the core the
In the case of dairy, the private sector is continuing milkman always had the best interests of producers at
to support and encourage milk producers. Dr. Kurien heart. It is up to the future generations to build upon
was of the view that it should also create infrastructure this legacy.
to link it directly with the producers. The cooperative
and capitalist structures can coexist to mutual benefit.
Prof. Y.K. Alagh, ex-Chairman, IRMA says that
the demise of Dr Kurien does not signal the end of the
iconic era. His legacy is in fact carried forward in
several ways. The ambitious National Dairy Plan has
recently been launched. This National Dairy Development
Plan speaks of co-operatives, self help groups, and
producer companies. Many NGOs have been working
on these models with NABARD providing financial support
to them.
