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| Dr. Verghese Kurien |
Dr. Verghese Kurien was an Indian engineer and social entrepreneur who is credited with transforming India's dairy industry. Born in Kerala in 1921, Dr. Kurien studied engineering at the College of Engineering in Guindy, Chennai, and later at Michigan State University in the United States.
After returning to India, Dr. Kurien began working for a government-run dairy cooperative called the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers' Union Limited (KDCMPUL). He quickly realized that the dairy industry in India was in dire need of reform.
At the time, dairy farmers in India were being exploited by middlemen who took a large percentage of their earnings. Dr. Kurien saw an opportunity to help these farmers by organizing them into cooperatives and providing them with the necessary infrastructure and technology to increase their productivity and profits.
Dr. Kurien's first major success came in the 1960s, when he launched a program to produce high-quality milk powder. He then worked to expand the dairy cooperative movement throughout India, founding the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) in 1965 and the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) in 1973.
Under Dr. Kurien's leadership, the Indian dairy industry underwent a revolution, known as the "White Revolution." The cooperatives that he helped establish provided millions of farmers with a stable source of income and helped to lift them out of poverty.
Dr. Kurien's work earned him numerous awards and honors, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, three of India's highest civilian honors. He also received the World Food Prize in 1989 and was awarded the Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1963.
Throughout his life, Dr. Kurien remained committed to improving the lives of farmers and rural communities in India. His legacy continues to inspire social entrepreneurs and innovators around the world to use their skills and expertise to create positive change in society.
Dr. Kurien's story is a testament to the power of entrepreneurship and innovation to drive social change. He saw a problem and worked tirelessly to find a solution, ultimately transforming an entire industry and improving the lives of millions of people. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world to pursue their passions and make a positive impact on society.
Dr. Kurien is widely recognized as the founder of Amul, India's largest milk cooperative. As of 2022, Amul's market capitalization has reached an impressive $6.5 billion, a testament to the success of Dr. Kurien's cooperative model and his transformative impact on the Indian dairy industry.
Tags: Social entrepreneurship, dairy industry, cooperative movement, innovation, India, poverty alleviation, milk powder, National Dairy Development Board, Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation
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