Leadership Course Session - 6
A Presentation on Dr. Verghese Kurien
01 Introduction
02 Early Life and Education
Content 03 Career and Achievements
04 Opportune Moments
05 Leadership Skills and Actions
INTRODUCTION
Dr. Verghese Kurien: The Architect of India's Milky
Way
Verghese Kurien wasn't just a dairy engineer; he was a
social entrepreneur who revolutionized India's milk
production, earning him the title "Milkman of India."
Born in 1921, his vision and leadership spearheaded
initiatives that led to the White Revolution, a period
of dramatic milk production increase in the country.
“Who told you there is one Amul? There are more than 175 Amuls across various
districts in Gujarat.”
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
From Physics to Engineering:
Kurien completed his schooling at Diamond Jubilee Higher Secondary School. He earned his Bachelor of Science
(B.Sc.) degree in Physics from Loyola College, Madras (now Chennai) in 1940. While initially aiming for the Indian
army as an engineer, his mother's encouragement led him to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) degree in
Mechanical Engineering from the College of Engineering, Guindy, in 1943.
A Twist of Fate and a Scholarship:
Kurien's initial plan was to join Tata Steel, but destiny had other plans. He applied for a government scholarship
offered by the Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry & Dairying (now National Dairy Research Institute) in
Bangalore.
Setting Sail for the US:
After completing his training in Bangalore, Kurien secured a prestigious government scholarship to study abroad. He
earned his Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan State University in 1948.
CAREER AND ACHIEVEMENT
Dr. Verghese Kurien, known as the “Father of the White Revolution” in India,
had a remarkable career marked by significant achievements:
World’s largest milk
Kaira District Cooperative
producer
Milk Producers’ Union
Dr. Kurien’s efforts led to a
1970
Limited (Amul)
1949
multi-fold increase in milk
Dr. Kurien set up the Kaira District output over the next few
Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union decades, helping India
Limited which later became Amul. become the world’s largest
This cooperative organized dairy milk producer by 1998. His
farmers in villages and linked them work transformed India from a
directly to consumers. Later on he milk-deficient nation into a
went on to establish NDDB global leader in milk
production.
Government creamery in Replication of the Amul
Anand, Gujarat. model nationwide.
Dr. Kurien was assigned by the
Government of India to an Under Dr. Kurien’s leadership, the
experimental creamery in Anand, Amul model was successfully
1950 1998
Gujarat. Despite his initial lack of replicated nationwide, leading to
interest in dairy, this assignment a significant increase in milk
marked the beginning of his production. This was achieved
transformative work in India’s dairy through Operation Flood, the
industry. world’s largest agricultural dairy
development program.
Shift in Policy Towards Cooperative Societies:
Dr. Kurien introduced a cooperative model, emphasizing
that producers should have control over their products’
procurement, processing, and marketing. This model
ensured that profits flowed back to the farmers,
dramatically improving their socio-economic status
OPPORTUNE Government Support and International Aid
MOMENTS
The Bombay Government provided generous financial
assistance, and he also received aid from UNICEF, New
Zealand under the Colombo Plan, and several foreign
countries.
Dr. Verghese Kurien, the architect of India’s
White Revolution, began his journey in a time
when India’s dairy industry was still in its
infancy.
Condition of the Dairy Industry
Dairy industry in India was in a nascent stage. The
country was spending scarce foreign exchange to
import dairy products from New Zealand and Europe.
Transformational Leadership Style: Dr. Kurien
Leadership was a transformational leader who turned his
vision into reality. He was instrumental in
organizing dairy farmers into cooperatives,
Skills and thereby transforming the dairy industry in
India.
Actions Attitude, Teamwork, Optimism,
Entrepreneurial Skills: Dr. Kurien was known
and
for his ability to accept tasks and drive a team
towards success. His optimism and
entrepreneurial skills were evident in his
approach to crises, viewing them as
opportunities.
Belief in Working for Others and Continuous
Learning: Dr. Kurien believed in working for the
prosperity of others, particularly the farmers. He
also emphasized the importance of continuous
learning, as evidenced by his receipt of 15
honorary degrees from different institutions.
Thank You!
