Dr. Verghese Kurien
Widely known as the "Father of the White Revolution" in India, Dr. Verghese Kurien was a visionary social entrepreneur who transformed the nation from a milk-deficient country into the world's largest milk producer. By empowering millions of rural farmers through a legendary cooperative model, he created a self-sustaining dairy ecosystem that brought economic independence to rural communities. His dedication and passion forever changed the landscape of Indian agriculture and global dairy production.
Lifespan
November 26, 1921 – September 9, 2012
Education
- Schooling: Attended Diamond Jubilee Higher Secondary School in Gobichettipalayam, Tamil Nadu.
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.): Graduated in Physics from Loyola College, Chennai (1940).
- Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.): Completed his degree in Mechanical Engineering from College of Engineering, Guindy, Chennai (1943).
- Specialized Training: Completed specialized training in Graduate Studies at the Tata Iron and Steel Company Institute in Jamshedpur and the National Dairy Research Institute, Bangalore.
- Master of Science (M.Sc.): Earned a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering (with a minor in Nuclear Physics) from Michigan State University, USA, on a government scholarship (1948).
Family Details
- Wife: Molly Kurien
- Children: Nirmala Kurien
Association with Cooperative Societies
- Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union (Amul): Helped found and scale the dairy cooperative that revolutionized India's milk production.
- National Dairy Development Board (NDDB): Set up and led the board to replicate the Anand model nationwide through Operation Flood.
- Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF): Managed the apex marketing body for Gujarat's dairy cooperatives.
Contributions to Corporate Social Responsibility
- Pioneered a social enterprise model that empowered millions of rural farmers, providing them with stable livelihoods and a direct share of the profits.
Publications
- I Too Had a Dream (His official autobiography detailing the milk cooperative movement).
- The Man Who Made the Elephant Dance (An audio-autobiography/book created about his life).
- Numerous academic papers, research articles, and books written by global authors analyzing his cooperative model.
Awards
- Ramon Magsaysay Award (1963)
- Padmashri (1965)
- Padmabhushan (1966)
- World Food Prize (1989)
- Padmavibhushan (1999)
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varghese
- https://kas.org.in/dr-varghese-kurien/