National Milk Day, Celebrating Dr. Verghese Kurien, The Milkman of India

National Milk Day, celebrated annually on November 26, marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the visionary who transformed India into the world’s largest producer of milk.

India’s Global Dairy Leadership

India contributes 25% of the world’s total milk production, a testament to the success of the White Revolution, spearheaded by Dr. Kurien.

Dr. Verghese Kurien: A Visionary Leader

1. Early Life and Education:

Born: November 26, 1921, Kozhikode, Kerala.

2. Educational Background:

Bachelor’s in Physics (1940) and Mechanical Engineering (1943).
Master’s in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Dairy Engineering from Michigan State University (1948).
Trained at the Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry, now the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Bengaluru.

3. The Beginning of a Revolution:

In 1949, Kurien was posted at a government creamery in Anand, Gujarat. Collaborated with Tribhuvandas Patel, who led the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers Union to fight exploitation by private monopolies like Polson Dairy.
Took charge of the cooperative’s machines and gradually became its general manager, actively involving himself in its operations.

4. Creation of Amul:

The cooperative was renamed Anand Milk Union Limited (Amul) and began marketing dairy products under the Amul brand.
Amul established direct links between producers and consumers, cutting out middlemen and ensuring fair prices for farmers.
Recognition: Kurien, Patel, and Dara Khurody (founder of the Aarey Milk Colony) received the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1963.

Operation Flood: The White Revolution

1. Role in National Dairy Development Board (NDDB): Appointed as the inaugural chair of NDDB in 1965.

2. Launched Operation Flood in 1970, with the goals of: Increasing milk production. Reducing price volatility. Empowering farmers through the cooperative model.

3. Impact of Operation Flood: Milk production tripled from 21.2 million tonnes (1968–69) to 55.6 million tonnes (1991–92). India became self-reliant in dairy production, achieving the world’s largest milk producer status.

Institutional Contributions

1. Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF): Established in 1973, GCMMF owns the Amul brand, India’s iconic dairy cooperative.

2. Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA): Founded in 1979 to train professionals in rural development and management.

Legacy of Dr. Kurien

1. Empowering Rural India: Amul and Operation Flood provided livelihoods to millions of farmers, especially women, transforming rural India.

2. Recognition and Influence: Known as the Father of the White Revolution. Pioneered a model of cooperative success that inspired movements across various sectors.

3. Vision for Future Generations: Kurien’s work highlights the role of innovation, cooperation, and effective governance in building self-reliant communities.