The Michigan State University (MSU) in the U.S. has honoured its Indian alumni late Verghese Kurien, called as the father of India’s White Revolution, by installing his bust at its campus.
It is because of the initiatives taken by D.V. Mallikarjuna, an engineer serving with the Shivamogga Cooperative Milk Union Ltd. and an admirer of Mr. Kurien, the bust could find place at the coveted International Centre of MSU.
Mr. Mallikarjuna told The Hindu that Mr. Kurien completed his master’s degree in mechanical engineering at MSU in 1948. Mr. Kurien had spent formative years of his life at MSU. “Mr. Kurien used his academic knowledge to empower the people from the marginalised sections of society.
The installation of his bust at MSU would inspire many young minds there to use their academic knowledge like Mr. Kurien to bring positive transformation in society,” he said.
MSU authorities responded positively for the mail sent by Mr. Mallikarjuna in first week of May from Shivamogga for installation of the bust.
The bust, including its wooden base is seven inches wide, 10 inches tall and six inches long.
Vipin Badaria, a sculptor from Sagar, has made the bust from marble powder. The installation ceremony was held on the premises of MSU on June 30 in which the faculty members and students of the university and a large number of members of the Indian diaspora took part.
Mr. Mallikarjuna said that the authorities at Anand Milk Union Ltd., Nirmala Kurien, daughter of Mr. Kurien, Ashwin Maurya, a research scholar with MSU, and Satish Udpa, the executive vice- president of MSU extended necessary cooperation for him in this regard.
The College of Engineer of MSU has posted a detailed report on the installation ceremony on its website and on its social media pages, he said.
