Verghese Kurien, father of the “White Revolution” and founder of the cooperative dairy movement in the country, died in a hospital at Nadiad early on Sunday, aged 90. He breathed his last around 1.15 a.m. He is survived by wife Molly Kurien and daughter Nirmala.
Dr. Kurien’s body was brought to Anand, the small town in central Gujarat that was his home for the last six decades and which he made famous as “the milk capital of India.” It was kept at the Sardar hall of the Amul dairy, where thousands, indebted to him for their economic freedom, paid him their last respects.
He was cremated at ‘Kailash Bhumi,’ Anand’s ultra-modern crematorium, in the presence of hundreds of his admirers and staff of the milk cooperatives.
Dr. Kurien was admitted to the Muljibhai Patel Urological Hospital last week for kidney ailments.
Born in Kozhikode, Kerala, on November 26, 1921, Dr. Kurien, a mechanical engineer with dairy engineering as a minor subject, came to Anand in 1949 at the behest of the then Union Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, to solve some problems of the local farmers. The problems were resolved, but Dr. Kurien could not leave Anand.
From one milk project to a larger one, the “Milkman of India” saw India emerge from a milk-deficient country into the largest milk producer in the world, overtaking even the once milk-abundant Netherlands.
It is because of Dr. Kurien that India today contributes about 17 per cent of the total milk production in the world. Amul, with a turnover of over Rs. 13,000 crore, is Asia’s top milk-producing brand and is counted, with one of the best recall values, among the world’s leading brands in any sector.
Keywords: White Revolution, Verghese Kurien, Dr. V. Kurien
I am quite sure he was a great man but to say "It is because of Dr.
Kurien that India today contributes about 17 per cent of the total milk
production in the world. " is taking the credit away from a normal
farmer and an Indian farmer's ingenuity. No not even a superhuman can
take away such credit away from masses. Please give credit to Indian
farmer where it is due and not assign it arbitrarily to anyone who has
died recently.
INDIA has become poorer for the loss of such a selfless person. His effort saved so many children from malnutrition! May he rest in peace.
The Government of India should fulfill the wishes of a great majority of Indians and should immediately confer Late Dr. Varughese Kurien with Bharat Ratna posthumously. He deserves it much more than some others who do not deserve it (without naming anybody). Jai Hind.
A great visionary and legend was lost who made a great great contribution to cause of indians.
The news Dr. Kurien's death is a sad day indeed. We pray the almighty for his soul RIP. He is the real achiever in the field and with people, not like the people who speak of development in volumes but do nothing concrete in the field. Hat off to Dr., Kurien whose life is a lesson for all of us to emulate his approach in our own fields and help people around us. That will be the greatest tribute to him, not the words of praise alone. Thank you Dr. Kurien.
Verghese Kurien had that rare stuff to convert the impossible into possible. The words Kurien and the small town in Gujarat Anand that shot into fame after the visionary Kurien arrived there with a mission are inseparable. He lived a life with a genuine purpose and accomplished it to become a legendary figure. And the kind of contribution that he made in transforming India from a milk deficient nation into the largest milk producer in the world is commendable and in that context he deserved to be recognized even more. The world in general and India in particular will definitely miss him.
Dr. kurien Should be honoured With highest award BHARAT RATNA
This is another ICON of yesteryears who in this day and age showed what can be achieved if your heart and mind is in the right place. Not only did he set a wonderful precedent, he also showed what can be achieved by doing the right thing in the right way, a lesson to all the cash hoarders of today's INDIA.
He was a great man.
Bharat Ratna will get more value if it is conferred on this Great person.
Years back I was running pillar to post to get a 'milk card' and some years later I was buying milk off the shelf from any shop near by! Thanks to Kurien! My children owe it to him! India can be proud of many people and Mr Kurien is one among the top 10! Not only his family, not only the farmers of Gujarat,not only the milk producing farmers of the country but the entire nation is proud because he was responsible for 'taste of India'.What a life to live!I agree that he should occupy a significant space in our primary education syllabus.
Dr.Kurien was a true visionary. I hope we take inspiration in his achievement and realise that in spite all the red tape and corruption that is a part of modern India, if we truly want to achieve something WE CAN.
As somebody rightly pointed out, I hope we name our Airports, Ports or other instituions after individuals like Dr.Kurien who truly contributed to India's success ( as opposed to the same old corrupt politicians ).
Dr. kurien Should be honoured With highest award BHARAT RATNA
He is an exemplary who has shown the intended results of socialist and cooperative movement. The commitment and dedication of Dr. Kurien has done complete justice to such philosophies. With deep admiration and regards, wishing him a peaceful rest.
Kurien is a true hero and his accomplishments are indeed awesome. Wow! What India sorely needs is more goal oriented and selfless individuals like him to make it into a more prosperous nation.
Yes an INDIAN who really made us proud.He should be honoured.May his soul rest in peace.
My heartiest salute to the REAL HERO of India, who changed millions of poor people's life and put our country's pride above by making us the leading producer of milk in the world. His achievements should be a lesson for all the bureaucrats who never use their position to do something good for the people but do anything to fill their own coffers by join hand with currupt politicians helping them to steal country's wealth. You won the People's recognition which is above the highest civilian award given by the currupt politicians. MAY YOUR SOUL REST IN PEACE
Dr Verghese Kurien, the father of India's White Revolution, was undoubtedly a great visionary and did not hesitate to take on the powerful Indian politician by their horns. We, born in 1960s, have personally felt the acute shortage and hoarding and black-marketing in milk across the country. It is only after his white revolution in 1960s and 1970s with the blessings of the then PMs, the country could steer clear of the acute shortage of milk and dairy products in general and the infant food in particular. Though the country and the international community rewarded him with many recognitions like Padma Vibhushan, Rama Magsaysay Award, World Food Prize, etc, I feel it will not be too much should he be conferred with Bahrat Ratna for his pioneering works at Amul, visionary efforts in self-sufficiency in Milk and Dairy products, ensuring suitable remuneration for the Milk-producuing farmers, remarkable contributions towards co-operaitve movement in the country, etc.
He is a real icon and made India's dairy sector proud throughout the world. Government should start a institute for advanced studies in dairy in the name of Kurein.
He will live in the heart of every Indian as AMUL - he is eternal.
I salute to this Great visionary leader. Who transformed Indian malnourished Thali to Nutrient Thali.
Dear Dr. Verghese Kurien, You have left your mortal body to be one with the supreme spirit ! You had led the Indian dairy sector from the front for making it what it is today. .You bought smiles back in our villages..You made the Indian dairy sector stand tall in the world dairy map. We will always be inspired by you !
Your effort saved so many children from malnutrition! All those childrenmust be praying for you today and would miss your service .
Dr. Kurien is the only real-life champion in India who directly contributed to the welfare of the small indian in a big way!!!
Rest In Peace, Doctor.
he is A Bharat Ratna !a leader who has done well in his time.
A great Indian, who had done pioneering work. May his soul rest in peace! But just look at the priority of even the media. His death is relegated to small letters and the media, including >the TV channels are busy with People, who have done nothing for the development of India, besides looting the country. What a tragedy!
I like to pay appropriate tribute to his contribution to the Indian nation. He'll live by his contribution. Dr. Md. Murshidul Ahsan Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
Dr Varghese Kurian was the doyen of Indian milk industry,dairy farmers co-operative movement and above all a legent beyond times.I was very fortunate to meet him both at Anand and Chennai and his complete committment to see an India free from hunger and undernutrition .As an author,orator and above all a thorough gentle man ,I used to wonder why Bharat Ratna was not conferred on him.I strongly believe if any contemporary Indian deserves this topmost civilian award,it is Dr Varghese Kurian.I hear his strong and vibrating voice which calls a spade a spade.Doors of Prime Ministers were always open to him and his advice was sought much by Lal Bahadur Shastri who stayed in a Gujarat Village hut to study onhand the impact of farmers co-operatives on livelihood security.Dr Varghese Kurian never allowed beurocrats to run the co-operatives,only duly elected farmers managed the co-operatives.He allowed young people to take decisions.Dr Kurian will live so long as India live-such is his impact.
what he did,will always remain be great.we should and must salute him but shame on gvt who hesitates to give Bharat Ratna title such a person. It only shows the apathy of government. Really he was for society not for self.
Dr.Kurien shown what we could achieve in India with cooperation and smartness which can be the envy of the entire world.
God bless his soul! I fondly recall business editor Ninan referring him as 'the holiest cow in India'.Kudos to that! Cant help wondering how the Amul girl will respond!
Its a really sad day that a man who truly deserved to be a 'Bharat Ratna' died without being honoured with this. RIP great man, you have truly made a difference to the lives of India's farmers and the all its people. People like Dr.Kurien & M S Swaminathan truly deserve to be Bharat Ratna's alongwith the likes of Vikram Sarabhai & Homi Bhabha who truly helped in securing the future of India.
He's the greatest Modern Cooperator,achiever, builder, visionary leader and totally selfless icon unlike most of our Politicians. The great Indian Cooperator who made us proud of being Cooperative worker and Indian. Lianthangpuia, Aizawl,Mizoram
RIP Dr Kurien - you have touched million hearts and their prayers are their for you and your family !!!...wish we had our younger generation growing up hearing and reading legends like you and Swaminathan thru their education and media !!!
Dr.V.Kurien is a noble cooperator who contributed significantly to the poor milk producers of India. His AMUL model has been replicated in India as well as in other developing countries. In 1985 as an young trainee of NDDB, i had the opportunity to see him and hear him the vision he had to transform the nation. His contribution for white revolution has turned the image of our nation in terms of milk production and its byproducts with international quality. His vision of forming cooperative societies with real autonomy and independence particularly from the clutches officials and politicians is still a mirage in many pockets of our nation. Let his soul rests in peace.
People like Dr Kurien and E. Sreedharan must be recognised. Hope the govt of Gujrat and India will do something.. Its sad he never got the Bharath Rathna.. He deserves it a million times more than 10ulkar.
Hope E. Sridharan who build India's first world class metro railway will be recognised while he is still with us..
a national icon...
RIP!!!!
One more true achiever passed away. His stamp of legacy will be remembered as Amul as long as we have that brand of Butter, Ghee, Milk and so many other things in that brand.But while are really proud of this great Malayali this is the time for us to reflect whether he could have 10% of what he had achived while living in Kerala. Same is true for Sri. Sreedharan also. How much hurdle he is facing to implement Cochin metro is now played in the current situation. Our corrupt political gangs who loot the treasury in the name some hare brain projects, aid packages when draught or tsunami hits the land, encroach tribal and forest lands shall learn from such great people who actually serve the nation.
Sorry to know the demise of Dr. Varugheese Kurien who brought milk revolution in India. He is the person who should be awarded Bharat Ratna as his selfless service to rural people is great. With his qualification he could have got a very good lucrative job anywhere in India and abroad and then also he contributed to Anand and made Anand as his Karma Bhoomi. He is really a Karma Yogi.
Hats of to you sir.
Dr.V Kurien felt himself proud to be a farmers'servant & dedicated his life for socio-economic development of the rural based farmers of India. His absence would be an irreplaceable loss of the nation.
Dr Kurien, who took India from being a milk-deficient country to the world's largest milk producer. This line only is enough to tell he achieved the purpose of life.. R.I.P....
Dr.Kurien achieved greatness by total dedication and hard work. He will be remembered ever by the millions of Dairy Farmers whose lives he brightened up and all those in the Dairy Industry. He made the Nation proud of its achievement. Yes, he ought to have been decorated with 'Bhart Ratna' as truly he is one.
May his soul rest in peace. Every Management student must study his life in order to learn how to manage
Time has come 2 an end for Mr. Kurien so left us. But his work of white revolution should be always remembered. He should be awarded with Bharath Ratana and an immediate stamp should be released to commensurate for his service to our great nation...
Its amazing what a big difference he made to millions of Indian children in cities who didn't have enough milk or protein. His life is an inspiration. He will be missed.
A true leader who understood what the masses required and facilitated the process of co-operatives. He was the one who made the members realize that they need not rely on the government for help, instead they can shape their own destiny and today Anand and surrounding areas of Gujarat is ample testimony to this fact.
A true gentleman who fought for the farmers and showed their talent to the world.
Bharat Mata salutes her unsung hero. May he rest in peace.
A great man who dedicated his entire life for the millions of poor farmers of Gujarath is no more. Very sad ..no words to express condolence...May his soul rest in peace..
Janata Bharat Ratna, god bless his soul
The ability to really lead by unifying the people for common good is only for the few. I urge all politicians/leaders to hear the plaintive cry of the common citizen - please don't divide us further; enough is more than enough. Time to start rebuilding like Dr Kurien and few others did at great personal cost and sacrifice - shiva
I always adored you. I am your follower, am working in my own way.....
A true builder of Modern India and that also in a field which is so low priced, essential but from low source of raw material with people of low life style.A man not only of vision but real leader who by his own hard work made the idea an achievement.The so-called political and financial leaders of India, only interested in exploitation of national wealth for personal gain and narrow family outlook should be ashamed of themselves at the very works of persons like Dr. Kurien, Dr. Swaminathan, Dr. Kalam etc.A real Bharat Ratna, whether this narrow minded self-seeking Govt. of India recognises him so or not. A true inspiration for others to emulate in all fields of life.Our SALAM to him.
Sir, When I drink aglass of milk ,I think on Kurien and his marvelous Amul and its mouth watering amul butter. RIP sreekurien... gvmallan,pune
A great leader who empowered the rural population, and made a differnce in their lives.
A few more Kuriens. Imagine, how our great country would leap frog into progress. Kudos to the great visionary. Let his soul rest in peace.
A true visionary, selfless, devoted saint who fought throughout his life for well being of his country men, had fought bureaucratic babus, politicians & MNCs for the cause of farmers...As he starts his journey towards his final destination, I wish to say him THANK YOU for the efforts that you have put for us...we are eternally grateful for your work done in service to the society!!
heads off 2 u........cant say any thing at this time but we all will miss u alot,,,,,May his soul rest in peace.........
RIP Dr Kurien.....Amul will always be the taste of India....
Really a saddening day for the whole Nation!! R.I.P Sir!!
A worthy son of India.May his tribe increase. Undoubtedly deserves least an Airport be named in his honour,though not a belated Bharat Ratna.
India lost a gem. And indeed Dr Kurien deserves Bharat Ratna who has made a difference in country and millions of indian families.He has left a legacy of innovation.Not only that he successfully transformed innovation into business model.
V.Kurien's contribution to Indian milk producing farmers is phenomenal. But the governments at the center have betrayed his work.Cooperatives are now being turned into corporations and multiple players are gradually taking over the milk industry.We can pay real tributes to such people if we make sincere efforts to save the milk producing co- operatives from corporate take over.
RIP Sir.. We salute you.
A simple idea that made a huge impact. This is what a dedication on a single goal can produce. Hope many more like him arise in India. We need some one like him to focus on infrastructure in India (roads and train tracks).
Here is an India who makes all of us proud. I agreed with his with one of the comments, why not name a road, airport or a city in his name. The most deserving candidate for any honour.
legend and a real hero of india
He is a Bharat Ratna.
the legend f kerala settled n gujjrat is d role model for our corrept indian politicians who
only thinking f making money n d name f politcs
salute to true son of the soil. a man will be remembered for his
integrity and honest work towards the society. our politicians must
learn from him to be great server to society. his heavenly demise is
great loss to nation.
A once in a lifetime human being, like you flavoured our food with the uniqueness of Amul, we pray to almighty God so that he will flavour your after-life with peace and a place amongst the most loved of his creations.
Dr. Kurien's contribution is commendable and unforgettable. some persons has achieved something and get success themselves but his success is nation's success. White revolution has upgraded status of poor agriculturalists through cooperative societies. His biography should be placed in school books for understanding by comming generation.
Back in the 1960s a comment made by the English made(The quality of sewer water in London is better than the quality of the milk in India) ignited him to start the GCMMF(created Amul brand of products there),became the founder chairman of NDDB and later, to lead the Operation Flood(the largest dairy development project in the world) which indeed helped India to be the largest milk producer in the world.So even though he is not recognised by the President of India as Bharat Ratna he is indeed a 'Bharat Ratna' a Gem of India.May his soul rest in peace.
Every Indian has to learn revolutionary thoughts from Dr. Kurian, in good way to develop India.
A real hero of India, who touched the hearts of every Indian, finally reached his destination.
shame that he was never even considered for bharat ratna. but then india
has been rather weak in recognizing its real heroes.
Dr.Verghese Kurien will go down in history as one who ushered in the white revolution and in the process brought light into the lives of millions of people all over the country. His success is a pointer to the fact that a single bureaucrat if he sets his mind to it and retains his integrity and honesty can work wonders even in our corruption and red tape ridden country. RIP Dr. Kurien, yours was a life well lived. The gates of heaven are open to you.
Indeed We must be proud of two Mallus- Dr.Kurien and Sreedharan Nair of
Delhi Metro.
Thank u Kurien for giving us milk! May LORD give u eternal life.
A truly great son of India and although he has left us, his work and
achievements will live forever. May his Atma RIP.
Dr Sethu
A True ICON for millions!!..hope future generations follow his Legacy
Ratnas are for the likes of 10dulkar!
As our best tribute to "Dr Kurien, who took India from being a milk-deficient country to the world’s largest milk producer" should be part of all Indian schools' curriculum.
Salute to one of the greatest Indian for bringing villages into our homes through Amul. A greatest legacy any indian can give to ones country and country men.
Arshad Kadli is right. He should have been decorated with Bharat Ratna. He was
outspoken. I recall his impatience with dithering rules and regulations, while erecting
a fortress of people's power. He was so gracious as to take me around the Anand
facility, while he was experimenting with cheese-making decades ago. Amul Cheese
is, of course, staple diet now.
Big Loss for India.
A true champion who helped Indian villages with a new hope. We do
respect you. May your soul rest in peace.
How Mr. Kurien made Amul a concept, is very unusual, since Amul was Gujarat-centric, and was a rural enterprise, and Mr. Kurien is from Kerala,and called a city his home. You know, we give people tribute, and many accolades, because we feel, that is as appropriate as the associations we make with the person. Really, the real tribute to Mr. Kurien, the person, is when people with not his qualification can make ideas like Amul work. I think, many people would not have imagined the concept.
A great soul and a true achiever in cooperative movement. May his soul rest in peace. Request Modi to commemorate Dr. Kurien in a fitting manner, e.g., name Anand District in his name.
I salute this great man , may his sole rest in peace , replacment of such great peopel newer happen , but the foundtion liad by him will alwasy take AMUL Forward
Honest & focussed individual who believed in revolution for growth. We
need more such Kuriens NOW in India.
These are the kinds of people who deserve to be awarded Bharat Ratna. Amul is an organisation build to last and a bench mark in any sector public or private. Remarkable achievement.
He is our True Hero, I wish to Salute him.
A true hero. A very relevant person for this times, where every leaders
are indulged only their financial progress. He was a post graduate
engineer from US very very long ago and at that time he thought of the
upliftment of the poor in India despite getting very high position in US
firms. A real loss for India.We express out greatest sympathy and sorrow
for his bereaved family. May god give him his dues in heaven.
Very sad to learn about the passing away of Dr. Kurien Varghese, the
father of the white revolution in India. The already existing milk was
transformed into `taste of India' by Dr.Kurien and he gave a new
dimension to the co-operative movement. He not only brought abundance
of happiness in `Anand' and across the nation. His passing away is a
great loss to the nation. India too missed a golden opportunity to
decorate this great revolutionary with the highest civilian award. May
his soul rest in peace.
A man of exceptional achievement.may his soul RIP.Dr.Kurien,Amul and Anand are inseperable.
Dr Kurien was an icon of India’s cooperative movement and the dairy
industry.
RIP
As rightly quoted for such an eminent person "Pioneering ventures in
little known waters" took us from none to notable in the world... made
us self sufficient and self-reliable... may his soul RIP...
What a superlative innings sir. Happy holidays as you take a much needed
rest after all the hard work you did for all of us. You used the white
milk to fight the white elephants in the government bureaucracy there by
creating millions of livelihoods in this country and more importantly a
healthy life and nutrition for millions of poor women and children.
A true achiever, legend and an inspiration. What a legacy he has left with his work that gave thousands meaning to their lives. May his soul rest in peace!
I always read of Dr. Kurien as the person who sustained the co-
operative meovement in Anand started by Mr. Tribhuvandas Patel and
opened the gates for its implementation throughout first Gujarat and
then all over India through a unique 3 tier system. But nothing has succeeded the Gujarat experiment due to shameless political and bureaucratic interference in other states. Many states have bodies
called the co-operative Milk Marketing Federation but it is not
elected by farmers and the chief executive is always a bureaucrat.
Hope these state governments realize their folly and stick to the plan
of Dr. Kurien at least as mark of respect to him and his achievements
which have transgressed the area of milk to even oil and fruits &
vegetables.
Dr. Kurien was the father of White Revolution. But for the dedication
and vision of Dr. Kurien and the leaders of the post independence era,
Amul could not have happend and the entire country would have missed
"The Taste of India", which has remained the same for last more than 60
years ... I first tasted Amul Butter when I was 7, and now at 67, the
taste is the same .....
Long years ago I saw the Hindi film Manthan. It truly depicted the role
Kurien played in milk cooperatives. I wish his experiment had moved on
to other sectors too. We have not had a crusading man like that since.
He will be remembered for ever by grateful people of this land.
Very sad day for dairy fraternity. May his soul RIP. pl correct ND fact in your news. It's Mr.
R.S. Sodhi and he is MD of GCMMF and not chairman. Chairman is sh. Chaudhary.
An upright and exceptional human-being. The world has become poorer for
the loss of such a selfless person. May his soul RIP. Anand and Amul,Dr
Kurien was associated which has grown into a national Navratna. May it
continue to grow and build on his dreams.
May his soul RIP. It is very sad that this great soul was not decorated with Bharat Ratna in his life time.
Sad news - Dr Kurien - a selfless hero - a true son of India - touched the lives of millions
we will miss him
A true achiever in India - can we name an airport in India after him instead of naming after the Dravidian leaders of TamilNadu and the Nehru family...
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