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Verghese Kurien was an Indian dairy engineer and social entrepreneur known as the father of the White Revolution. In 1940, Kurien obtained his degree in physics from the University of Madras, and in 1947, he obtained his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan State University. Read this blog to learn more about Verghese Kurien.
Table of Contents
| Overview of Verghese Kurien | |
| Nickname | Father of White Revolution |
| Life | 1921-2012 |
| Occupation | Engineer, Entrepreneur |
| Achievements | Transformed India to the world’s largest milk producer |
| Organization | Amul |
| Awards | Padma ShriPadma BhushanRamon Magsaysay AwardPadma VibushanWorld Food Prize |
Verghese Kurien’s Early Life
Kurien was born on November 26, 1921, in Calicut to P.K.Kurien
- Kurien attended Diamond Jubilee Higher Secondary School, Gobichettipalayam, Tamil Nadu, while his father worked at the government hospital there.
- His father died when he was just 22 years old; after that, he moved under the guidance of his maternal uncle.
- Kurien applied for a Government of India scholarship and decided to study dairy engineering. He was sent to the Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry in Bangalore and spent nine months there before being sent to the United States on a government scholarship.
- In 1948, he graduated from the University of Michigan with a degree in masters of mechanical engineering.
- He later travelled to Australia to learn dairying, which would help him establish the Amul dairy.
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Verghese Kurien Contributions
Verghese Kurien’s contributions to India are far more than just increasing milk production.
- Kurien created the cooperative model, which empowered milk producers to gain control over their production and profits
- This massive program, launched under Kurien’s leadership, aimed to establish a national milk grid. It connected village cooperatives to processing plants and urban markets, cutting out middlemen and ensuring higher returns for farmers.
- The White Revolution created millions of jobs in rural areas, specifically for women.
- India, because of Kurien’s efforts, became the largest producer of milk.
Why Is Verghese Kurien Considered The Father Of the White Revolution?
Verghese Kurien is considered the Father of the White Revolution because of his contributions.
| Contribution | Significance |
| Amul Model & Cooperatives | 1. Led Operation Flood, a large-scale dairy development program 2. Increased milk production, processing, and marketing infrastructure |
| Operation Flood | 1. Led Operation Flood, a large-scale dairy development program 2.Increased milk production, processing, and marketing infrastructure |
| Focus on Farmers | 1. Ensured fair prices for milk producers by eliminating middlemen. 2. Provided veterinary services and improved breeding practices |
| National Impact | 1. Transformed India from milk-deficient to the world’s largest milk producer 2. Improved rural livelihoods and empowered millions of farmers |
Awards won by the father of the White Revolution
Several awards were won by the father of the White Revolution, some of which are as follows:
| Year | Awards | Awarding Organization |
| 1963 | Ramon Magsaysay Award | Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation |
| 1965 | Padma Shri | Government of India |
| 1966 | Padma Bhushan | Government of India |
| 1986 | Krishi Ratna | Government of India |
| 1986 | Wateler Peace Prize | Carnegie Foundation |
| 1989 | World Food Prize | World Food Prize Foundation |
| 1993 | International Person of the Year | World Dairy Expo |
| 1997 | Order of Agriculture Merit | Ministry of Agriculture, France |
| 1999 | Padma Vibhushan | Government of India |
FAQs
Verghese Kurien is known as the Father of the White Revolution in India for transforming the country into the world’s largest milk producer.
Kurien pioneered the cooperative dairy model in India, empowering farmers and boosting milk production through organizations like Amul.
Verghese Kurien received several awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Ramon Magsaysay Award, and the World Food Prize.
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