Father of White Revolution in India
Father of White Revolution in IndiaHindustanTimes.comNew Delhi, March 20, 2006
Lovingly called the Father of the White Revolution in India, Dr Verghese Kurien was born on November 26, 1921.
Credited with architecting the Operation Flood -- the largest dairy development programme in the world -- Dr Kurien set up the Anand model of cooperative dairy development, engineered the White Revolution in India, and made India the largest milk producer in the world.
Education
Dr Kurien graduated with Physics from Loyola College, Madras in 1940 and then did BE (Mech) from the University of Madras.
After passing out of the University, he joined the Tata Steel Technical Institute, Jamshedpur from where he graduated in 1946. He then went to USA on a government scholarship to earn his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (with distinction) from Michigan State University.
When he came back to India, he was posted as a dairy engineer at the government creamery, Anand, in May 1949.
Around the same time, the infant cooperative dairy, Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Limited (KDCMPUL), -- now famous as Amul -- was fighting a battle with the Polson Dairy, which was privately owned.
Young Kurien, fed up with being at the government creamery, which held no challenge, volunteered to help Shri Tribhuvandas Patel, the Chairman of KDCMPUL, to set up a processing plant. This marked the birth of AMUL.
The White Revolution
Dr Kurien has since then built this organisation into one of the largest and most successful institutions in India. The Amul pattern of cooperatives had been so successful, in 1965, then Prime Minister of India, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri, created the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to replicate the programme on a nationwide basis citing Dr Kurien's "extraordinary and dynamic leadership" upon naming him chairman.
Kurien also set up GCMMF (Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation) in 1973 to sell the products produced by the dairies. Today GCMMF sells AMUL brand products not only in India but also overseas.
Awards
For his contribution to the dairy industry, Dr Kurien has received top awards not only in India but also overseas.
1963 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership1965 Padma Shri1966 Padma Bhushan (from president Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan)1986 Krishi Ratna Award (by the President of India)1986 Wateler Peace Prize Award (of Carnegie Foundation )1989 World Food Prize Laureate1993 International Person of the Year (by the World Dairy Expo , Madison, Wisconsin, USA)1999 Padma Vibhushan
http://www.hindustantimes.com/news/181_1654189,0008.htm
Kurien may quit AMUL
Mitul Thakkar
Sunday, March 19, 2006 23:49 IST
ANAND: Speculations are rife that the Father of White Revolution Verghese Kurien will to step down from the chairmanship of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) this Monday morning.
After the DNA’s exclusive report about a revolt by directors of the GCMMF building up against him, there was a flurry of action in the Milk Capital of India - Anand, throughout the day on Sunday.
GCMMF sources indicate that Kurien will make two major announcements, one about his own position and the other one about the controversy over GCMMF managing director BM Vyas. On Saturday , Vyas had written a letter to Dr Kurien stating that majority directors have lost confidence in Kurien's chairmanship. Hence the board wants to move a no confidence motion against him on March 24.
It is learnt that majority of the directors have signed the application filed by the chairman of Sabarkantha District Milk Producers Union to the board of nominees of the state government to freeze the powers of Kurien.
Following this, chairpersons of the 11 out of 12 dairies that constitute GCMMF reportedly huddled themselves in Anand to plan a move that will end Dr Kurien's reign over the apex milk marketing body. It is believed that Dr Kurien wants to walk out of the GCMMF with dignity by tendering his resignation before the directors get a chance to bring such a motion.
DNA has found that the revolt has a tacit support of the local politicians and also of Dr Kurien's protégé turned arch-rival Dr Amrita Patel, who now heads National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
However, Kurien camp remained silent. Kurien met his close associates and remained at his residence near Amul Dairy where he saw seeds of co-operative movement to challenge the monopoly of multinationals in the dairy sector.
Dr Kurien is believed to have contended that he became the member of the board of GCMMF on the basis of his technical expertise as per the clause 18 of by-laws drafted in consultation with then chief minister of Gujarat Babubhai Patel and founder of the Amul Dairy Tribhuvanbhai Patel.
Verghese Kurien resigns from 34-yr long post
Press Trust of IndiaPosted online: Monday, March 20, 2006 at 1105 hours ISTUpdated:
Monday, March 20, 2006 at 1131 hours ISTAnand, March 20: Verghese Kurien, chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited, on Monday resigned from the post that he held for the last 34 years.
He resigned in Anand in a bid to put an end to the speculation over his ouster and his clash with GCMMF managing director BM Vyas.
The 12 chairmen of district dairies of Gujarat constituting GCMMF had demanded that the 'Milkman' climb down from his post.
The revolt apparently has the support of Kurien' one-time protégé but now arch-rival Dr Amrita Patel, who heads National Dairy Development Board.
Doyen of dairy industry Kurien quits
Anand, March 20: Verghese Kurien, chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), who was facing strong opposition from within, today tendered his resignation.
Kurien, doyen of the Indian dairy industry, who led the country to the 'White revolution' made this announcement at Anand in the wake of the GCMMF board passing a no confidence motion against him recently.
Announcing his resignation, Kurien said, "I have been the chairman of GCMMF board since its inception in 1973. Do I deserve this kind of treatment?"
"I am anguished and pained by the recent move of GCMMF board against me. Having served the cooperative dairy sector for over five decades with complete dedication and commitment, do I deserve this kind of treatment from the board members? Such acts pain me and at the same time have raised my concerns about the future of GCMMF," Kurien, who is also the chairman of Institute of Rural Management, Anand, said.
"My decision is in deference to the recent order of the High Court of Gujarat on the issue of cooption of members on the management committee of the cooperative bodies in Gujarat. I have taken the decision as a person firmly believing in the rule of law and principles of cooperatives," he added. (Agencies)
Published: Monday, March 20, 2006
He resigned in Anand in a bid to put an end to the speculation over his ouster and his clash with GCMMF managing director BM Vyas.
The 12 chairmen of district dairies of Gujarat constituting GCMMF had demanded that the 'Milkman' climb down from his post.
The revolt apparently has the support of Kurien' one-time protégé but now arch-rival Dr Amrita Patel, who heads National Dairy Development Board.
Doyen of dairy industry Kurien quits
Anand, March 20: Verghese Kurien, chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited (GCMMF), who was facing strong opposition from within, today tendered his resignation.
Kurien, doyen of the Indian dairy industry, who led the country to the 'White revolution' made this announcement at Anand in the wake of the GCMMF board passing a no confidence motion against him recently.
Announcing his resignation, Kurien said, "I have been the chairman of GCMMF board since its inception in 1973. Do I deserve this kind of treatment?"
"I am anguished and pained by the recent move of GCMMF board against me. Having served the cooperative dairy sector for over five decades with complete dedication and commitment, do I deserve this kind of treatment from the board members? Such acts pain me and at the same time have raised my concerns about the future of GCMMF," Kurien, who is also the chairman of Institute of Rural Management, Anand, said.
"My decision is in deference to the recent order of the High Court of Gujarat on the issue of cooption of members on the management committee of the cooperative bodies in Gujarat. I have taken the decision as a person firmly believing in the rule of law and principles of cooperatives," he added. (Agencies)
Published: Monday, March 20, 2006
Outlook
Father of 'White Revolution' Verghese Kurien resigns
ANAND, MAR 20 (PTI)
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd founder-Chairman Verghese Kurien today announced his resignation, apparently pre-empting a proposed move by the dairy federation's Board members to oust him.
"I have been the Chairman of GCMMF board since its inception in 1973. Do I deserve this kind of treatment?," Kurien, celebrated as the father of India's 'white revolution', said reacting to reports that Board members would meet on March 24 to pass a non-confidence motion against him.
"I am anguished and pained by the recent move of GCMMF Board against me. Having served the cooperative dairy sector for over five decades with complete dedication and committment, do I deserve this kind of treatment from the board members," he asked.
Such acts pain me and the same time have raised my concerns about the future of GCMMF, Kurien, who is also the chairman of Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) said.
"My decision is in deference to the recent order of the High Court of Gujarat on the issue of cooption of members on the management committee of the cooperative bodies in Gujarat. I have taken the decision as a person firmly believing in the rule of law and principles of cooperatives," he added.
Amul's father, Kurien quits
Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd founder-Chairman Verghese Kurien today announced his resignation, apparently pre-empting a proposed move by the dairy federation's Board members to oust him.
"I have been the Chairman of GCMMF board since its inception in 1973. Do I deserve this kind of treatment?," Kurien, celebrated as the father of India's 'white revolution', said reacting to reports that Board members would meet on March 24 to pass a non-confidence motion against him.
"I am anguished and pained by the recent move of GCMMF Board against me. Having served the cooperative dairy sector for over five decades with complete dedication and committment, do I deserve this kind of treatment from the board members," he asked.
Such acts pain me and the same time have raised my concerns about the future of GCMMF, Kurien, who is also the chairman of Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) said.
"My decision is in deference to the recent order of the High Court of Gujarat on the issue of cooption of members on the management committee of the cooperative bodies in Gujarat. I have taken the decision as a person firmly believing in the rule of law and principles of cooperatives," he added.
Amul's father, Kurien quits
By: PTI March 20, 2006
Anand, Gujarat: Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd founder-Chairman Verghese Kurien today announced his resignation, apparently pre-empting a proposed move by the dairy federation's Board members to oust him. The federation owns the Amul brand and Kurien's exit caps months of controversy. Kurien held the post for last 34 years. "I have been the Chairman of GCMMF board since its inception in 1973. Do I deserve this kind of treatment?" Kurien, celebrated as the father of India's 'white revolution', said reacting to reports that Board members would meet on March 24 to pass a non-confidence motion against him. "I am anguished and pained by the recent move of GCMMF Board against me. Having served the cooperative dairy sector for over five decades with complete dedication and commitment, do I deserve this kind of treatment from the board members," he asked.
Such acts pain me and at the same time have raised my concerns about the future of GCMMF, Kurien, who is also the chairman of Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) said.
"My decision is in deference to the recent order of the High Court of Gujarat on the issue of cooption of members on the management committee of the cooperative bodies in Gujarat. I have taken the decision as a person firmly believing in the rule of law and principles of cooperatives," he added.
Anand, Gujarat: Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd founder-Chairman Verghese Kurien today announced his resignation, apparently pre-empting a proposed move by the dairy federation's Board members to oust him. The federation owns the Amul brand and Kurien's exit caps months of controversy. Kurien held the post for last 34 years. "I have been the Chairman of GCMMF board since its inception in 1973. Do I deserve this kind of treatment?" Kurien, celebrated as the father of India's 'white revolution', said reacting to reports that Board members would meet on March 24 to pass a non-confidence motion against him. "I am anguished and pained by the recent move of GCMMF Board against me. Having served the cooperative dairy sector for over five decades with complete dedication and commitment, do I deserve this kind of treatment from the board members," he asked.
Such acts pain me and at the same time have raised my concerns about the future of GCMMF, Kurien, who is also the chairman of Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) said.
"My decision is in deference to the recent order of the High Court of Gujarat on the issue of cooption of members on the management committee of the cooperative bodies in Gujarat. I have taken the decision as a person firmly believing in the rule of law and principles of cooperatives," he added.
Quit buzz around Milkman Kurien
OUR CORRESPONDENT
Ahmedabad, March 19: Verghese Kurien, the architect of the white revolution in India, is believed to have made up his mind to step down from the helm of the cooperative that owns the Amul brand.
Kurien, caught in a feud within the cooperative, is expected to announce tomorrow his resignation as the chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation. As the head of the federation since 1973, Kurien presided over an entity that came to be viewed as one of the most successful cooperative initiatives in the world.
The 84-year-old Kurien today faxed a signed invite to journalists, saying he is going to make “some important announcement regarding his long association” with the federation tomorrow.
The board members of the federation are scheduled to meet in Anand on March 24. Out of the 12 members, 11 are expected to move a no-confidence motion against Kurien. After pre-empting the no-trust vote, Kurien is expected to take on his rivals.
Kurien’s detractors allege that the federation is losing its market share because of an ongoing milk war between Kurien and the National Dairy Development Board chairperson, Amrita Patel. Once a protégé of Kurien, Patel and her mentor had fallen out over marketing policies.
Another flank was opened when Kurien publicly criticised chief minister Narendra Modi at a meeting in Anand. The current rebellion against Kurien is being led by a Modi loyalist, Bhupendra Solanki.
Solanki, the BJP member of Parliament representing Godhra, is also the chairman of one of the 12 district milk federations in the state.
Kurien quits as GCMMF chairman
Ahmedabad, March 19: Verghese Kurien, the architect of the white revolution in India, is believed to have made up his mind to step down from the helm of the cooperative that owns the Amul brand.
Kurien, caught in a feud within the cooperative, is expected to announce tomorrow his resignation as the chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation. As the head of the federation since 1973, Kurien presided over an entity that came to be viewed as one of the most successful cooperative initiatives in the world.
The 84-year-old Kurien today faxed a signed invite to journalists, saying he is going to make “some important announcement regarding his long association” with the federation tomorrow.
The board members of the federation are scheduled to meet in Anand on March 24. Out of the 12 members, 11 are expected to move a no-confidence motion against Kurien. After pre-empting the no-trust vote, Kurien is expected to take on his rivals.
Kurien’s detractors allege that the federation is losing its market share because of an ongoing milk war between Kurien and the National Dairy Development Board chairperson, Amrita Patel. Once a protégé of Kurien, Patel and her mentor had fallen out over marketing policies.
Another flank was opened when Kurien publicly criticised chief minister Narendra Modi at a meeting in Anand. The current rebellion against Kurien is being led by a Modi loyalist, Bhupendra Solanki.
Solanki, the BJP member of Parliament representing Godhra, is also the chairman of one of the 12 district milk federations in the state.
Kurien quits as GCMMF chairman
http://www.rediff.com/money/2006/mar/20kurien.htmMarch 20, 2006 11:43 ISTVerghese Kurien, chairman of Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Limited, on Monday resigned from the post that he held for the last 34 years.
He resigned in Anand in a bid to put an end to the speculation over his ouster and his clash with GCMMF managing director BM Vyas.
The 12 chairmen of district dairies of Gujarat constituting GCMMF had demanded that the 'Milkman' climb down from his post.
The revolt apparently has the support of Kurien' one-time protégé but now arch-rival Dr Amrita Patel, who heads National Dairy Development Board.
"It is true that all chairmen of district dairies wants Kurien to step down and the entire plan is the brainchild of the chairman of a district dairy who few months ago decided to work only for National Dairy Development Board for Sugam milk and not for Amul," sources told Business Standard on Saturday.
Sources also said that all chairmen had in the past decided to oust the chairman who boycotted Amul and the matter was dragged to court.
"Interestingly the person in question convinced other chairmen to bring Kurien down from his chair," sources said
India's `milkman' Kurien calls it a day
Our Bureau
He resigned in Anand in a bid to put an end to the speculation over his ouster and his clash with GCMMF managing director BM Vyas.
The 12 chairmen of district dairies of Gujarat constituting GCMMF had demanded that the 'Milkman' climb down from his post.
The revolt apparently has the support of Kurien' one-time protégé but now arch-rival Dr Amrita Patel, who heads National Dairy Development Board.
"It is true that all chairmen of district dairies wants Kurien to step down and the entire plan is the brainchild of the chairman of a district dairy who few months ago decided to work only for National Dairy Development Board for Sugam milk and not for Amul," sources told Business Standard on Saturday.
Sources also said that all chairmen had in the past decided to oust the chairman who boycotted Amul and the matter was dragged to court.
"Interestingly the person in question convinced other chairmen to bring Kurien down from his chair," sources said
India's `milkman' Kurien calls it a day
Our Bureau
`Do I deserve this kind of treatment from the board?'
DR VARGHESE KURIEN
Ahmedabad , March 20
India's `Milkman' Dr Varghese Kurien has resigned as the Chairman of the Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), better known for `Amul' brand of milk products, following plans to move a no-confidence motion against him.
Dr Kurien is credited with the country's white revolution and self-sufficiency in milk protection, having set up institutions such as Amul, the National Dairy Development Board and Institute of Rural Management, Anand.
But in recent years, his leadership had been challenged by the very people whom he had mentored. After leaving NDDB about five years ago, Dr Kurien on Monday announced that he is stepping down as the GCMMF Chairman. "I am anguished and pained by a recent move of the GCMMF Board against me. The members have taken a decision to pass a no-confidence motion against me and have even gone to the Board of Nominees restraining me from carrying out my functions as Chairman," Dr Kurien said at Anand on Monday.
Upset at the move to oust him from an institution he had helped create, an emotional Dr Kurien said: "Having served the co-operative dairy sector for over five decades with complete dedication and commitment, do I deserve this kind of treatment from the board members?" Surprising, just three months ago the same Board had unanimously elected him as Chairman for a three-year term.
"I can only think that the recent decision of the Board members for my removal is an orchestrated act involving people at a very high level. The board has become a pawn in the bigger game of some vested interests bent upon capturing the cooperative body," he said. Asked what his future course of action would be, Dr Kurien said that he had several offers from other countries, including Pakistan, to replicate the Amul model.
http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/03/21/stories/2006032103540100.htm
Verghese Kurien quits
Special Correspondent
"People abroad appreciate me, but at home I am being hounded"
Verghese Kurien
ANAND (Gujarat): The doyen of India's cooperation movement and "white revolution," Verghese Kurien, on Monday resigned as member and chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) in anticipation of a no-confidence motion.
He has been chairman since the inception in 1973 of the GCMMF, which markets the Amul brand milk and milk products. Only three months ago, Dr. Kurien (84) was unanimously re-elected for three years by the same board of directors, which, he said, turned against him suddenly now. He was "anguished and pained" at the move to remove him and suspected that it could be an "orchestrated act involving people at a very high level."
Dr. Kurien, who was chairman of the National Dairy Development Board from its inception in 1965 until he voluntarily resigned in favour of Dr. Amrita Patel in 1999, was not sure about his future in another institution he built up, Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA).
Right now he was not quitting as IRMA chairman, but considering his age, he would take a decision "very soon." Dr. Kurien convened a media conference at the IRMA on Monday morning to announce his resignation after he was informed of the move to adopt a no-confidence motion at a meeting of the GCMMF board later in the day. He said the board had "become a pawn in the bigger game plan of some vested interests bent upon capturing the cooperative body, which had withstood many such attempts in the past."
Future plans
Asked about his future plans, Dr. Kurien said he would be willing to provide advice to any farmers' cooperative. He had not yet decided to accept Pakistan's "open invitation" to set up a cooperative on the lines of Amul in the country. He doubted whether a cooperation movement would be possible under a military junta. He had also received invitations from several African countries.
While people abroad appreciated his contribution to the cooperation movement in India, at home he was being "hounded out," regretted Dr. Kurien.
Adding to the controversy surrounding the move to remove him from the GCMMF was a petition in the Gujarat High Court challenging his "co-option" as member. Dr. Kurien regretted that he was being questioned 34 years after he became chairman.
On his resignation, his one-time protégé turned-foe, Amrita Patel, who is believed to be among those behind the no-confidence move, said she was "deeply saddened" by his decision, and lauded his "invaluable contribution" to the cooperation movement.
Dr. Kurien cautioned farmer-members against "designs" to destabilise co-operatives, which served as an instrument of their empowerment. This, he said, was also at the root of his differences with the NDDB chairman, who, in defiance of an Act of Parliament, under which the board was set up, virtually turned it into a company.
The NDDB, Dr. Kurien said, wanted to control marketing through its direct and indirect subsidiaries, in which farmers would have no control. Nor did this move have government approval.
Refuting the allegations, Dr. Patel said she had made no move to corporatise cooperatives but only registered the NDDB subsidiaries under the Companies Act to make their functions more professional, efficient and transparent.
http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/21/stories/2006032106001000.htm
He has been chairman since the inception in 1973 of the GCMMF, which markets the Amul brand milk and milk products. Only three months ago, Dr. Kurien (84) was unanimously re-elected for three years by the same board of directors, which, he said, turned against him suddenly now. He was "anguished and pained" at the move to remove him and suspected that it could be an "orchestrated act involving people at a very high level."
Dr. Kurien, who was chairman of the National Dairy Development Board from its inception in 1965 until he voluntarily resigned in favour of Dr. Amrita Patel in 1999, was not sure about his future in another institution he built up, Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA).
Right now he was not quitting as IRMA chairman, but considering his age, he would take a decision "very soon." Dr. Kurien convened a media conference at the IRMA on Monday morning to announce his resignation after he was informed of the move to adopt a no-confidence motion at a meeting of the GCMMF board later in the day. He said the board had "become a pawn in the bigger game plan of some vested interests bent upon capturing the cooperative body, which had withstood many such attempts in the past."
Future plans
Asked about his future plans, Dr. Kurien said he would be willing to provide advice to any farmers' cooperative. He had not yet decided to accept Pakistan's "open invitation" to set up a cooperative on the lines of Amul in the country. He doubted whether a cooperation movement would be possible under a military junta. He had also received invitations from several African countries.
While people abroad appreciated his contribution to the cooperation movement in India, at home he was being "hounded out," regretted Dr. Kurien.
Adding to the controversy surrounding the move to remove him from the GCMMF was a petition in the Gujarat High Court challenging his "co-option" as member. Dr. Kurien regretted that he was being questioned 34 years after he became chairman.
On his resignation, his one-time protégé turned-foe, Amrita Patel, who is believed to be among those behind the no-confidence move, said she was "deeply saddened" by his decision, and lauded his "invaluable contribution" to the cooperation movement.
Dr. Kurien cautioned farmer-members against "designs" to destabilise co-operatives, which served as an instrument of their empowerment. This, he said, was also at the root of his differences with the NDDB chairman, who, in defiance of an Act of Parliament, under which the board was set up, virtually turned it into a company.
The NDDB, Dr. Kurien said, wanted to control marketing through its direct and indirect subsidiaries, in which farmers would have no control. Nor did this move have government approval.
Refuting the allegations, Dr. Patel said she had made no move to corporatise cooperatives but only registered the NDDB subsidiaries under the Companies Act to make their functions more professional, efficient and transparent.
http://www.hindu.com/2006/03/21/stories/2006032106001000.htm
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