Description:
(Social Entrepreneur)
Best known as the visionary who architected India’s White Revolution, Verghese Kurien was a social entrepreneur who helped to lay the foundation of development from the grassroots. He believed that the true development of a nation was possible only if the farmers at the grass roots were entrusted with the responsibility of organizing democratic enterprises. Growing up as the son of a civil surgeon, young Verghese had no interest whatsoever in dairy production. In fact he was not even fond of milk or milk products! How he ultimately became the Father of White Revolution was nothing but a quirk of fate which steered him towards what would become his life’s calling. One of the major proponents of the cooperative movement, he led the Operation Flood which made India, a previously milk-deficient nation the largest milk producer in the world. Under his able direction and guidance, around 30 cooperative institutions like AMUL, IRMA, and NDDB thrived. He helped AMUL in pioneering the process of producing milk powder from buffalo milk which was one of the factors that led to his appointment as the founder-chairman of National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
Birthday
November 26, 1921 (Sagittarius)
City
Kozhikode, India
Died on
September 9, 2012
Spouse/Ex-
Molly Kurien
Parents
Children
Nirmala
What is the contribution of Verghese Kurien to the White Revolution in India?
Verghese Kurien is known as the "Father of the White Revolution" in India for his pioneering work in transforming the dairy industry and making India the largest milk producer in the world.
How did Verghese Kurien revolutionize the dairy industry in India?
Verghese Kurien is credited with establishing the Amul cooperative movement, which empowered millions of dairy farmers by providing them access to fair prices for their milk and modern dairy technology.
What impact did Verghese Kurien have on rural development in India?
Verghese Kurien's initiatives not only revolutionized the dairy industry but also played a significant role in rural development by creating employment opportunities, improving farmers' livelihoods, and reducing poverty in rural areas.
What is the significance of Operation Flood in India's dairy sector?
Verghese Kurien's Operation Flood program, launched in the 1970s, aimed to replicate the success of the Amul model nationwide, leading to a significant increase in milk production and transforming India into a self-sufficient milk producer.
How did Verghese Kurien's cooperative model benefit dairy farmers in India?
Verghese Kurien's cooperative model empowered dairy farmers by giving them ownership over the production, processing, and marketing of milk, ensuring fair returns and improving their socio-economic status.