The White Revolution. The Story of Amul | Dr. Varghese Kurien

Summary

Dr. Varughese Kurien, known as the 'Milkman of India,' revolutionized India's dairy industry through Operation Flood. Born in Kerala and educated in metallurgy and physics, he was initially reluctant to work in Anand, Gujarat. However, he became deeply involved with the farmers, establishing a cooperative that bypassed middlemen, ensuring fair prices for milk. He introduced innovations like buffalo milk powder and crowdfunded a film about farmers, leading to the creation of the Amul brand and making India a global leader in milk production. His philosophy emphasized the development of people over land or animals.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Dr. Varughese Kurien, known as the 'Milkman of India', revolutionized the dairy industry in India.
• 🎓 Born in Kerala and educated in Chennai and Michigan State University, he initially pursued metallurgy and physics, not dairy engineering.
• 📝 He was brought to Anand, Gujarat, by the government to serve due to a scholarship condition, despite his initial reluctance.
• 🔄 The turning point in his life was when he was persuaded by Mr. Verghese Kurien and Ospital to stay and help milk producers.
• 👨‍🌾 Dr. Kurien deeply connected with the farmers, understanding their hardships and eventually loving his work in Anand.
• 🛠️ With an engineer's precision, he set up a cooperative in Anand, aiming to empower farmers.
• 🌐 Operation Flood was launched nationwide after he successfully convinced Prime Minister Shastri of its importance.
• 🚫 He eliminated middlemen, ensuring milk went directly from farms to cooperatives at fair prices, benefiting the farmers.
• 🍬 He initiated the Amul brand of confectionaries, standing up to the Planning Commission's skepticism.
• 🎬 Dr. Kurien was instrumental in the crowdfunded movie 'Manthan', which highlighted farmers' issues and became a hit.
• 🥛 He innovated milk powder production from buffalo milk, with the help of his friend Dalia, leading to the creation of other dairy products.
• 🏆 His work led to the establishment of Mother Dairy and DDB, and he received numerous awards for his contributions.
• 📚 Dr. Kurien authored 'I Too Have a Dream', reflecting his vision to make India a leading producer of milk and dairy products.

Q & A

What is Operation Flood, and why is it significant?

Operation Flood, often referred to as the White Revolution, was a revolutionary movement in India that transformed the dairy industry. It was significant because it made India one of the largest producers of milk and dairy products in the world, helping to improve the livelihoods of millions of rural farmers.

Who was the key figure behind Operation Flood?

Dr. Verghese Kurien, often called the 'Milkman of India,' was the key figure behind Operation Flood. He was instrumental in creating a dairy cooperative movement that benefited millions of milk producers across India.

What was Dr. Verghese Kurien's educational background?

Dr. Verghese Kurien was born into a Syrian Christian family in Kerala and pursued his education in Chennai. He later attended Michigan State University, where he studied metallurgy and physics, not dairy engineering.

How did Dr. Kurien become involved in the dairy industry despite his different academic background?

Dr. Kurien initially did not want to work in the dairy industry, but after being assigned to Anand, Gujarat, against his wishes, he was persuaded by Mr. Tribhuvandas Patel, the chairman of the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union, to stay and help the milk producers. This marked the beginning of his involvement in the dairy sector.

What was the turning point in Dr. Kurien's career that led him to stay in Anand?

The turning point came when Mr. Tribhuvandas Patel convinced Dr. Kurien to stay in Anand and contribute to improving the lives of milk producers. Despite his initial reluctance, Dr. Kurien became deeply involved in the work, eventually leading the White Revolution in India.

What was Dr. Kurien's work ethic during his time in Anand?

Dr. Kurien was highly dedicated to his work, allocating eight hours for work, eight hours for family, and eight hours for sleep, though it's unclear if he strictly adhered to this schedule. His passion for his work was evident in the significant changes he brought to the dairy industry.

How did Dr. Kurien convince Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri to support the dairy cooperative movement?

Dr. Kurien smartly presented the need for a nationwide dairy cooperative movement to Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri during his visit to Anand. Shastri was so impressed by the idea that he extended his stay to talk to the farmers, leading to the launch of Operation Flood.

What was Dr. Kurien's stance on using foreign names for the cooperative brand?

Dr. Kurien was adamant about using an Indian name for the cooperative brand. He refused to use a foreign name and ensured that the cooperative was named 'Amul,' which has since become a well-known brand in India.

What role did Dr. Kurien play in the creation of the movie 'Manthan'?

Dr. Kurien was instrumental in funding the movie 'Manthan,' which was directed by Shyam Benegal. When the filmmaker ran out of funds, Dr. Kurien mobilized farmers to contribute ₹2 each, enabling the continuation of the movie, which became a super hit and resonated with farmers.

What was one of Dr. Kurien's important innovations in dairy production?

One of Dr. Kurien's key innovations was the production of milk powder from buffalo's milk. This innovation, along with the establishment of Mother Dairy and the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), played a crucial role in the success of Operation Flood.