ferain neilanee yeshayahu
Dimple Belousson
I Too Had a Dream: The Inspiring Story of Dr Verghese Kurien
Have you ever wondered how India became the world's largest milk producer? How a small cooperative in Gujarat transformed the lives of millions of farmers and consumers? How one man's vision and leadership changed the face of the dairy industry in India and beyond?
If you are curious about these questions, then you should read I Too Had a Dream, the autobiography of Dr Verghese Kurien, the father of the White Revolution in India. In this book, Dr Kurien narrates his remarkable journey from a young engineer to a social entrepreneur who created a model of cooperative development that is still relevant today.
Dr Kurien was born in Kerala in 1921 and graduated in science and engineering from Madras University and Michigan State University, USA. He joined the government's creamery in Anand, Gujarat, where he met Tribhuvandas Patel, the leader of a group of farmers who were forming a cooperative to sell their milk. Dr Kurien was impressed by their integrity and commitment and decided to help them. He became the founder-chairman of the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Limited (better known as Amul), which grew into one of the most successful brands in India.
Dr Kurien also established the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to replicate the Anand pattern of cooperatives across India. He launched Operation Flood, the world's largest dairy development programme, which made India self-sufficient in milk production and improved the livelihoods of millions of rural poor. He also set up the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) to market the products of various cooperatives under the Amul umbrella. He received numerous awards and honors for his contributions, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the World Food Prize, and the Padma Vibhushan.
I Too Had a Dream is a candid and inspiring account of Dr Kurien's life and work. It reveals his passion, dedication, courage, and humor as he faced various challenges and controversies. It also gives an insight into his views on development, democracy, leadership, and social change. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to learn from one of the greatest social innovators of our time.
Dr Kurien was not only a visionary leader but also a passionate innovator. He was instrumental in developing several technologies and products that enhanced the quality and variety of dairy products in India. He invented a method to process buffalo milk into milk powder, which was cheaper and more abundant than cow milk. He also introduced the production of condensed milk, baby food, cheese, ice cream, chocolate, and other value-added products from milk. He pioneered the use of solar energy for refrigeration and transportation of milk. He also developed a process to make skimmed milk from dehydrated cow dung, which was used as a fertilizer.
Dr Kurien was also a staunch advocate of farmers' rights and empowerment. He believed that cooperatives were the best way to organize rural producers and protect them from exploitation by middlemen and monopolies. He promoted the concept of \"cooperative federalism\", where cooperatives at different levels worked together in harmony and mutual benefit. He also encouraged women's participation in cooperatives and supported their education and training. He opposed any interference by the government or the private sector in the functioning of cooperatives. He fought against corruption, bureaucracy, and vested interests that tried to undermine the cooperative movement.
Dr Kurien was widely recognized and respected for his achievements and contributions to the nation and humanity. He received several national and international awards and honors, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1963), the World Food Prize (1989), the Order of Agricultural Merit (1997), and the Padma Vibhushan (1999). He was also conferred honorary doctorates by several universities in India and abroad. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005. He was hailed as one of the greatest Indians of the 20th century by various media and public polls.