Verghese Kurien : An Indian engineer and entrepreneur.
Kurien was behind the creation of Amul, where milk powder from buffalo milk was produced for the first time in the world. Kurien’s life story is chronicled in his personal memoir — ‘I too Had a Dream.’ Film-maker Shyam Benegal, produced a film, Manthan, based on the cooperative milk movement in India.
Not able to finance it himself, he sought Kurien’s help, who got half a million farmers to contribute two rupees each for the making of the movie. The farmers loved ‘their’ own film and it won many awards. UNDP, planned to use the movie to start such cooperative ventures in Latin America.
Kurien has been bestowed upon 15 honorary degrees from different universities of the world. In 1963, he got the Magsaysay Award; in 1966, the Padma Bhushan and in 1989, the World Food Prize. In 2001, he got Lifetime Achievement Award.
Verghese and his wife Molly had one daughter and a grandson. He died on 9th September, 2012 after a brief illness in Nadiad, near Anand. Interestingly, the man behind the milk revolution didn’t drink milk himself. His cooperative movement alleviated the misery and poverty of millions, not only in India, but also outside India. His contributions will always be admired.
