MILK
- MAN
Dr Kurian Verghese, the father of 'white revolution' in
India died on Sunday the 9th of September at Anand, at
the age of 90. He belonged to Kerala, but spent his lifetime at Anand
setting a rare example of leadership, management and dogged
determination.
A few years back he narrated his memoirs in a book
titled ' I too had a dream '. The book gives us details
of his life , challenges and accomplishments.
If there is any product which is still respected and
adored by the people despite being a product of a Government agency;
it is 'AMUL'. It is symbol of 'honesty' and 'purity'. It is a
product made from the sweat and toil of the farmers who rare cattle ,
and from the honest intentions of its creator; Dr Kurian, whose sole
intention was the welfare of the farmers. He created this
formidable Brand on the strength of his intentions, despite the
vagaries of time and widespread skepticism about the Government
enterprises among people.
The
story of Kurian is also the story of economic integration of this
country, toward which he significantly contributed. The
'milk-cooperative' though initiated in Anand, soon spread under his
guidance to other states and has been successful. Through his
efforts the consumption of percapita milk increased in our country.
The Headquarters and 'milk policy' authority remains at Anand on his
insistence and advise ,when the milk movement was launched under his
leadership. Perhaps that is the reason why it has still maintained
standard as it is away from the policy makers at Delhi!
In
his success is the success of 'cooperative movement'. In an
interesting episode from his memoirs , he narrates how the then Prime
Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, during his visit to Gujrat desired to
stay one night with a farmer's family in Anand district. . After
having spent the night in the village and observed the cooperative
movement and the village life in general he remarked to Dr Kurian
that he was surprised to note that in north India the size and
quality of buffaloes was much better than that of Gujrat but despite
that the milk availability was lacking and therefore inquired the
reason, to which Dr kurian stated that the difference was the
existence of 'cooperative' in the state and non existence of the
same in other states.
His life is indeed very interesting and dramatic. He was
a bright student and did BE from Madras and qualified as a
management trainee with TATAs. But soon managed a scholarship to USA
on a Government scheme. However there were strings attached as he
was to do a rural tenure as part of pay back pact. On reaching USA he
studied physics, and did not study the subject for which he was
deputed , he enjoyed life there , watched movies regularly and
returned to India. On his return as part of the contract he was
appointed to Anand for the mandatory rural service. He tried to
wriggle out of it and wearing a 'panama' hat and western attire
visited his uncle John Mathai the first finance minister of India,
however he expressed inability and advised young Kurian to honour
his commitment and adhere to the rules, which shows the integrity of
the ministers of that era.
On
arriving at Anand he was passing his time in the sleepy rural
surroundings. On weekends he would visit Mumbai for entertainment
.One day he along with a friend visited an astrologer who made
prediction based on the shadow of the person under the sun. His
friend coaxed him to know his future too which he did reluctantly; on
observing his shadow the astrologer made a startling revelation that
Kurian would be spending his life time in Anand; which of course he
laughed off at that moment. How was he to know that soon he would be
helping the local administration in rectifying an old machine used
in the production of milk , he could do so of his ingenuity but the
people there realized the asset they had in him and offered him a
reasonably attractive job which he accepted and the rest as they say
is history! He played the leading role in setting up the cooperative
as he knew by then that the world over milk production , processing
and distribution was on the concept of cooperative as it suited the
peculiarity of the product, its perishable nature and scattered
production. In his endeavor he was supported by the daughter of Shri
Ballabh bhai Patel and the local political leaders who were
influenced by Gandhiji's principles.
He
displayed his never say die spirit and inventiveness when he
successfully produced milk powder from buffalo milk, which had failed
earlier by the experts as it would curdle at a certain point. There
was a lobby too which wanted import of 'nestle' to suit their ends.
Kurian considered necessary not only to break the dependence on
multinational but to utilize the excess milk production of winter
months for the summer season when the milk production was less. This
was his big victory. His dynamism was in ensuring the fitment of milk
powder producing plant which was gifted by Switzerland in record time
for inauguration by Pandit Nehru. How he convinced the Bombay port
authorities to prioritize bringing alongside the ship which carried
the plant, how he urged the railway authorities to stop the goods
train at Anand is a case study in determination and farsightedness.
His
fight with Polson is also a historical event. Polson is known to us
for his butter , but he had monopoly in Bombay for supply of milk,
being a big market Kurian was attracted to it. Polson was so powerful
that he fixed the daily rates of milk in Bombay. Dr Kurian organized
a meeting with the concerned politicians and outsmarted Polson by
designating the high milk producing districts to Anand , Polson was
furious but was left high and dry.
Amul
publicity and the name itself is the brain child of Kurian, in order
to widen the scope of milk products and to take Anand to the next
level this was a clever move, he created the most lovable brand-
'utterly butterly delicious!'
Kurian comes out as an intelligent, selfless and also as
a smart man. At his position he would interact with the top
politicians who were indebted to him for his ideas and dedication.
Many ministers helped him execute his plans, gave him freedom for he
could deliver and they knew that his aim was the welfare of the
farmers and rural area.
He
may have used the politicians for his Aim but never allowed them to
manipulate him, he had courage to say no to Jagjivan Ram when he
requested him to setup a dairy at Sasaram , Bihar
He
truly deserved 'Bharat Ratna'.
