Can you imagine a day without seeing milkman at your door step or his cycle giving a ring? How many of you prefer to start a daily routine without a cup of hot tea or coffee in your hand? Have you ever thought about that person who bought great milk revolution in our country? It’s Varghese Kurian, who is fondly known as ‘The great milkman of India’ who brought great revolutions to our country through his achievements and hard work. Through this article, I am briefly explanation about his struggle to change India from milk deficient country to world’s largest milk producer of the world.
Through his journey in a snapshot
He was born in November 26, 1921 in Kozhicode in a Syrian Christian family as the son of Puthen Paraikkal Kurien who was a civil surgeon of British Kochi constituency. He took Physics degree from Madras Loyola College in the year 1940 and later from Madras University, he took Mechanical engineering degree also. He got special training from TATA Iron and Steel Company, Jamshedpur and later went to Mishigen University, America to get a post graduation degree in Engineering. In 1948, he joined as Dairy engineer in a milk powder factory run by central government in Anand, Gujarat. But he resigned his job very soon to join a group of farmers in Kheda which very soon gave birth to ‘Amul’. In 1965, with the help of Kurien, Lal Bahadur Shastri, the then Prime Minister of India started National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) which formed the success stone of Amul which later spread all over the world. In 1973, he organized Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation and very soon, under his organization India became no.1 milk producing country in the world. After remaining three decades as the Managing Director of Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation he stepped down in the year 1996. During the last phase, after seeing fights for power in an organization he developed through his struggle and hard work, he resigned with broken heart. He had 17 honorary doctorates from universities in India and abroad and has won many awards including Padma Wibhushan, World Food Prize, Padma Shri, Ramon Magsaysay Award, International person of the year, Krishi ratna award and many more.
Real fighter in the ‘Milky’ way
Revolution can be done not only through weapons and swords, but also through purity of milk! Real warrior who was able to prove this was none other than Kurien. From a small remote village of Gujarat, he initiated a big revolution leading India to a ‘Paalazhy’ – the sea of milk where Lord Vishnu stays. Kurien has once told that except drinking milk, he has no connection with cows or cow farming during his childhood days. A young engineer whose mind was filled with thoughts related to metallurgy and physics told in his autobiography, “I too had a dream” in his autobiography. But his destiny was something else. Since he was studying in US with scholarship, he had to work under central government for a short period. Thus he was appointed in the dairy department of central government in the year 1948. Next year, he became the dairy engineer in a milk powder industry of central government. Seeing the exploitations faced by poor farmers his mind melted and he resigned his post very soon.
It gave him new piece of information about problems faced by milk sector. Thus, he joined Kheda District Co-operative society, a firm started by Morarji Desai and Tribhuvandas Patel, suggestions carry forwarded from Sardar Vallabhai Patel. That society was going through its bad phases due to the exploitations of bureaucrats when he joined them. His real challenge was to fight with Polson Dairy. He joined hands with Tribhuvandas Patel to start a new milk processing unit which paved way to the birth of Amul. Amul was a boom to poor milkmen. By collecting milk from different co-operative societies Amul produced different food products. For its marketing, Gujarat Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation was formed. Thus, forming small branches continuously, this revolution gradually spread all over India.
Through his 'billion-litre idea' or Operation flood, he kept his promises revolutionizing milk all over India. A unit that started with just 250 litres a day very soon reached a high position no one can even dare to dream that time. He didn’t want to contract himself to milk production only. He has made his distinct mark in many fields including fruits, vegetables, deforestation, edible oil etc. Keeping Anand as a model, he formed co-operative society for oil, making available its seeds at a low cost for farmers and very soon, started the brand, ‘Dhara’. He had to face resistance from already existing oil lobbies. Throughout his life, Kurien has kept himself away from all political parties. His honesty, sincerity and hard work helped him to climb every mountain he dreamt. Let me give a simple example of his honesty. Once, his daughter Nirmala was appointed in the board by other members without the knowledge of Kurien. When he came to know about this matter, he became so angry saying, anyone may criticize him saying he has given a job to his family member misusing his power and very soon, Nirmala resigned the post.
Influence of his uncle
Kurien was nephew of famous John Mathai – the first Kerala representative in the central government. India’s first railway minister who became minister of finance later. John Mathai dreamt to see him as an engineer while Kurien dreamt a soldier life. Thus, he got resistance from his family itself and very soon, he joined TISCO as an apprentice. Very soon, when he came to know that he got that post through his uncle’s recommendation, he felt ashamed of himself. Also, the considerations he got from there as the nephew of John Mathai was more than he could accept. So, he resigned the post ignoring even his uncle’s words and very soon, departed to study for his PG course. When he returned back with handful of degrees, he stayed with his uncle at Delhi. John Mathai was financial minister of Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet. This time, his uncle asked him to do as his wish and didn’t offer him any help. If he had continued his job in TISCO, he might not have achieved more in his life than the top position of that company.
Sea of milk flown from Kozhicode
It was a great desire of Kurien to see his childhood home once again. He told his desire to his friend P.A.Abdul Azeez, who was former Managing director of Milma in the Malabar zone. He had to search a little to find his home and very soon Kurien reached the city. It was 2006. Now, though that house is not there, his place still holds his ‘milk’ perfume. Kurien was born in West Hill, Kozhicode. Puthen Paraikkal Kurien got transferred to Kozhicode and he along with his wife was living in Government quarters when she gave birth to their third child, Kurien in 1921. He was given his uncle, Rao Sahib P.K.Vargeese’s name. His autobiography is filled with piano notes of his mother mixed with his first residence. Later, when he was studying in St.Joseph High school he along with his family resided in John Mathai’s home. He came to Kerala for the last time in 2010.
He spent childhood days in Thrissur
He was an atheist. The first time he went to a church with happiness was for his marriage. He married Molly and at All Saints CSI Church, Thrissur on June 15, 1953 and same day itself, he took her back to Gujarat. Though he didn’t believe God, he believed poor peasants. He got it back too! When Kurien left us, we lost a chain from John Mathai family. He is Thrissur’s son and son-in-law. Both his mother and wife belong to Thrissur. He spent his childhood days here. His uncle John Mathai resided in this town along with his wife, also his elder brother Cherian Mathai who was the head of the family. He stayed unmarried looking after the whole family. When Kurien’s father passed away, whole family came to Thrissur to stay. But very soon, he left Kerala for further studies. Cherian Mathai was the educational director of Kochi at that time – the family along with Vargeese spent his childhood days. Now also, many close relatives are there in Thrissur. The first time he went to Anand was along with his wife, Susan Molly, the same day of their marriage. The rest is History!!! He has described about his relations in his autobiography, though he gave more importance to his success journey.
Real ‘Bharat Ratna’
When a dairy firm was formed in the year 1948 with new technologies imprinted, Vargeese Kurien worked as its manager. They had a milk production unit named ‘Polson’ from which they made Polson butter, which was used by India during the early ages after its independence. Now Polson butter doesn’t exist. When milkmen began to give milk to Amul, slowly Polson disappeared from Indian market. At that time, collecting milk also had many open challenges. Very soon he got grand to buy equipments from Holland to store and freeze milk. When it turned to be a profitable business, milk production centres of Anand began to share the profits, thus helping the milkmen to stand against the difficulties they faced that time.
Very soon, the then Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri visited Anand and seeing the well flourished dairy firm, decided to stay at a peasant’s home one night. Very soon, National Dairy Development Board was formed in Anand to replicate ‘Anand models’ all over India. Through his program of Operation Flood, he raised milk deficit India to self dependent India and as a part of it, all over the country Mother Dairies were established. When he visited countries like Holland, Denmark and France, the milk products he got as gifts were converted to milk to survive the milk deficit period of India. He spread his ideas to other villages of Gujarat. Sabarkantha, Mehsana and Banaskantha were some of them. Educated youngsters were selected to Farmer’s Training centres, given training to co-operative movement, economics, marketing etc and send to different states. The first gift he asked them was ‘honesty’. He used to directly communicate with those people giving them inspiration. ‘One farmer- One share’ – this slogan was given by him to organize new firms in different states. Now 1.2 crore milkmen are sharing its benefits. Giving power to the hands of milkmen was itself a revolution and hence it began to be known as ‘Milk Revolution’. During the period of 1975-1985, lakh litres of milk were transported in local tankers, yet they were holding success. Many international markets tried to give an end to ‘Operation Flood’. His principle to retain milkmen along with its production, marketing and selling was the main success behind his efforts. If kids of today are drinking good milk, whole credit goes to Kurien.
To exclude professional MBA graduates from his group, he established Institute of Rural Management (IRMA) in the year 1980. Instead of selling pink soaps for multinational companies, he asked his followers to work for co-operative societies and villages. What Gandhi dreamt of India, he made them real through rural development giving poor people what they actually deserve! Today, the co-operative societies of Amul, started with 247 litres of milk have reached 16000 villages of Gujarat itself, coming under 15 units with annual income of10000 crore rupees. 30 lakh people are associated with it, of which majority are poor women. “It’s the greatest fight against poverty”, World Bank says.
Even 1 lakh words is not sufficient enough to say what Vargeese Kurien has contributed to our country. Yet, it's my humble attempt to say at least a few words about his early childhood, his success path, the way, he influenced millions of people and won their hearts. Let me salute him once again and I am proud to say, I belong to the same soil he was born!!!
“There was once a town in the heart of America where all life seemed to live in harmony with its surroundings. The town lay in the midst of a checkerboard of prosperous farms, with fields of grain and hillsides of orchards where, in spring, white clouds of bloom drifted above the green fields ………………….Then a strange blight crept over the area and everything began to change. Some evil spell had settled on the community ……. There had been several sudden and unexplained deaths, not only among adults but even among children, who would be stricken suddenly while at play and die within a few hours. There was a strange stillness. The birds, for example where had they gone? Many people spoke of them, puzzled and disturbed……..”
The words which made the whole world think about the harmful hazards of pesticides and its impacts on living beings of environment. One of the most discussed books among nature lovers that inspired many environment movements against pesticides even resulting in the ban of many harmful pesticides all over the world – Silent Spring. On 27th September 2012, the book which told the story of a muted spring is celebrating its 50 years.
Rachel Carson – the author of ‘Silent Spring’
Rachel Carson was born in Springdale in 1907. She was a quiet child who always loved to spend her time in her own beautiful world of butterflies, springs, woods and birds and lovely nature. She was an already well known established writer before she published ‘Silent Spring’ and this book raised her popularity a little more when this book became an instant best seller. She began writing at a tender age of 8 and published her first book when she was 11. She got degree in genetics and zoology from Hopkins University. Later she was appointed as Aquatic biologist in U.S Bureau of fishes, which gave her ideas to write two books related to sea life of which ‘The sea around US’ got appreciated as the best book of the year in US. Then she told the harmful effects of DDT through her book, ‘Silent spring’. Till then, DDT was praised as a good insecticide. So, her book was really an eye opener. Though even biologists opposed her ideas with doubtful minds, her book inspired millions to fight against pesticides. She was suffering from breast cancer during her late ages and died of a heart attack in 1964, April 14 in Silver Bridge, Mariland.
Inspiration from a friend’s letter
The village about which ‘Silent Spring’ told story is just imaginary. But she was inspired by an event, she read through the letter of her friend Orga from whom she came to know about DDT for the first time. At that time, she was the chief editor of Fish and Wild life services publications. Through the letter, Orgo told about her the sudden death of her birds, which she kept as pets. She also specified the spraying of DDT across nearby forests by American agriculture department to kill pesticides with the help of helicopters. As soon as Rachel read her words, she began her research and wrote a book based on her findings and published in the year 1962, September 24. She told in her book, about the health hazards the excess usage of pesticides can bring, not only to animals and plants but also to human beings. Very soon, many chemical companies came forward questioning her, even filing cases against her.
Her fight as single
During that time, environment organizations were not there as we see now. Also, no Government agencies available at that time. So, she had to fight alone through her writings and speeches. She did everything by giving solid proofs. As a result, the then American president John.F.Kennedy appointed a committee to study the issues. The wind created by ‘Silent Spring’ soon spread all over the world which even gave many evidences of bad effects of pesticides. Before the completion of the book, she was detected of breast cancer and she died in 1964. In 1972, American government banned DDT forever. Though a half century has passed since the ‘Silent spring’ has gone, we are still witnessing such disasters. Endosalfan, another face of DDT has already shown its bad face in different parts of the world. Many countries have banned it. Protests are going on in India asking the complete ban of this chemical.
Pesticide with the name DDT
DDT was found by German scientist Othmor Zeidler in the year 1874. Its scientific name is Dichloro diphenyl trichloro ethane [(C6H4C1)2CH.CCl3]. When this pesticide was able to kill mosquitoes and insects spreading plague, malaria and typhoid as a part of second world war, it was praised all over the world. World Health Organization arranged campaigns to spray this pesticide around every homes, septic tanks and forests to kill mosquitoes and other insects. Thus DDT helped a lot to keep malaria under control. Since it won’t dissolve easily, it can reach skin and get stored inside the fat cells. Also, through plants, DDT can reach both man and animals, even though in small quantities. It adversely affects nervous system of animals and human beings. Paul Herman Muller, a Swedish scientist was the first person who understood the insect killing nature of DDT for which he got a Nobel Prize in the year 1948. He identified it in 1938 while he was doing his researches in Geigy Company.
Spray here, it will reach Antarctica
Of 9 lakh species of pests identified till now, only below 1% are harmful. That means, only about 3500 varieties are harming agricultural products and spreading diseases. Majority of pests are men’s friends. They play a major role in keeping equilibrium of nature. Since pesticides can’t identify and kill enemies only, many of our helping friends are also destroyed. If long lasting Organochlorides are sprayed in our forests, it can even reach living beings of Antarctica. Rain plays an important role in transporting those pesticides from soil to seas. Soon they are absorbed by algae which in turn reach fishes and birds. Thus remains of pesticides and insecticides are even reaching penguins living in the poles!!!!
Let me conclude
It’s true, we can’t avoid certain evils in our daily life. Yet, we can reduce their amount thus helping our earth, nature and its living beings. The battle started by Rachel Carson should not end with the reading of ‘Silent spring’ or organizing 50th anniversary of the book. Instead we should carry on her struggles, believing that, it’s our duty also, to see our nature smiling free of all pesticides and insecticides!!! Let my article be a small effort to see her dreams fulfilled through many people who read this.
Indian Famous Personalities
Dr. Abdul Kalam : 
Dr. Avul Pakir Jainubhudin Abdul Kalam is the twelfth Indian president and the father of Indian missile techniques. Dr. Abdul Kalam has born on 15th October 1931 in Dhanushkodi in Rameshwaram city, Tamil Nadu. In his career as an aeronautical engineer Dr. Abdul has enormous contribution in launching Indian first satellite SLV-3 and 'missiles like Agni', 'Trishul' and others. He is an important team fellow of Indian National Academy of Sciences and other professional parties. Dr. Kalam has been reputed with Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and The Bharat Ratna' in 1997, Dr.Biren RoySpace Award, Om Prakash Basin Award in Science and Technology, National Nehru Award, Arya Bhatta Award etc. He reads Bhagvad Geeta and Kuran both without any discrimination.
Adi Godrej : 
Adi Godrej is the chairman of Godrej industry in India. He was born in professional family. Godrej products are the first Indian products replaces foreign brands and a huge World wide business supporter in India. Adi Godrej has joined his family business after completing education and raises the business to the heights of glory.
Aditya Birla :
Aditya Birla group industry initialised in India and working in 20 countries like Thailand, Egypt, Canada, Italy, France, Switzerland, China, Australia and similarly others. Aditya Birla organization works in different sectors including cement, Tele communication, fertilizers, iron, alchemists, carbon products, branded garments in India. Baldeo Das Birla was the inventor of Birla Group born in Rajasthan and turned to calcutta to start business. Birla are also known for their corroboration during Indian freedom fights.
Amar Bose :
Amar Bose born in 1929 was the inventor of Bose association. He was the first speaker famous for supportive work in acoustics. Bose speakers are popular in world for their endless quality performance.
Amartya Sen :
Amartya Sen an economist born in 1933 in west Bengal got popularity for his appreciable work to enhance Indian economy definition for poor and famine hurted people. He was the first young chairman of Jadavpur University and won noble prize in economics.
Anil Ambani : 
Anil Ambani is the managing director of Reliance capitals and the 18th most richest person in the world. Anil has most of his income from reliance telecom. Reliance corporation is the India's biggest corporation established by Dhirubhai Ambani, Anil's father. Anil has been born in 1959 and completed his education from Bombay university. He has married with Tina munim and has two sons.
Do you want to become a Master mind ?
Do you want to become a marvellous person in your family?
Do you want to achieve brillant suuccess in your chosen area of activity?
Do you want to know the secrets of those who succeeded?
Do yiu want to motivate yourself similarly/
Do you want to succeed? Are you really serios?
Theen,this book is meant for you.
This boook will give you the inspiration, clear you illusions, remove the cob-webs of doubt and despair, gove you helpful and motivating hints, make you understand how to become a''Master Mind",achieve extraordinary succees, so that you yourself can become a Role Modeel for others and in turn ,motivate tenm to become ''Master Minds''.
Yes !All this is possible. Prioceed ahead with confidence You might say that earlier you tried , failed in your attempts ,got discouraged and left it at that. Or, may be ,are still struggling and not able to achieve a position of eminence. Did you everseriously analyse asto
Why you have not been able to achieve it so for ?
This is an important question . This requires careful analysis. Honestily , did yiu give your best ?
Usually, you would not fail, if you gave your undivided attention , planned carefully , prepared fully and implemened dailigentl.
what was the level of your DESIRE?
The answer is very simple .
How intense and how strong and how serious? Be Honest .
Usually, you were lacking the 'DESIRE?
The answer is very simple.
How intense and how strong and how serious? Be Honnest. Usually , you were lacking the 'Desire ;to the exteent necessary.
where is the question of not having the desire?' you would question .
sorry, you do have the 'Desire 'but not strong enough .It is lacking something in its intensity.
To put it in other words , You don't have the Burning desire or passion for it.
You don't have what is called the killer instinct
In short, you don't have the Fire inside to force you to acieve .
It ' s like the fuel in a rocket .
As you knwo , however sophisticated a rocket is, it can 't work unless there is fuel and that fuel is ignited.
There are many fuel -bunkers with that fuel in this book, waitingfor you .
Many people amde use of thisfuel inthe past.
Eg; those who have made 400 runs in aday in cricket when it was felt that making even 300 is too high .
those whohave broken the olmpic records in running ,which remained unchallnged for several years.
India is a peace loving country. After independence, India was partitioned into two different countries - India and Pakistan. Pakistan desired to include the Jammu and Kashmir but they failed in their attempt. When pakistani soldiers were enjoying the dance of the Indian dancing girls, the Indian soldiers managed to provide the back up team in the war field. Pakistan thus could not capture Kashmir and failed in their attempt. This failure has given birth to terrorism in India. According to Pakistanis, they are freedom fighters. They call it "Jehad" or holi war. However, in the past, freedom fighters fought for the sake of their mother land. They died to save the future of the country. We remember our fore fathers because of their great deeds and sacrifices. Each and every people participated in the war of independence, irrespective of their nature of work and standard of living. Men and women, everybody were fighters.
Today, the fight for power, land and money has changed the meaning and motive behind war. Freedom fighters are remembered forever. They are alive in our heart. On the other hand, when a terrorist die, we remember only his deadly activities and black veiled face. We curse them for their doings. India has threat of terrorism from not only Pakistan but also from other neighbouring countries. The borders of India are not totally sealed. Many a times terrorists enter the country through passes or by sea route or from the Nepal or Bangladesh borders.
The real motive of terrorist is to spread terrorism in the whole world. India has faced serious problems by the terrorist group called Al-Qaeda . Rather than Al-Qaeda, there are some other terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Omar, Naxalists in central India, LTTE in the south, etc. Under world people are also known for spreading terrorism in Mumbai and other cities in India. Many a times during investigation,under world people are found connected with terrorists in blasts and other serious cases. Black veiled face is the only identity of a terrorist. They are devils in human form.
Terrorists work for money and no other means. Terrorist can be a man or a woman or a child. It has no face, no form and no identity, to be called human like us. They are trained with newly advanced technologies, guns, machineries, bombs, chemicals and biological weapons, etc. A terrorist can give birth to many terrorists. They have no fear, no tension and no feelings. Their mind is a mind of a destructor which is at first washed and then commanded to carry out anything inhuman in the world. Terrorists don't have any caste or religion or gender or age. Many youngsters are pushed in this work, of spreading terrorism. The basic reason behind such could be unemployement, corrupt political and judiciary systems and/or religious fights. Many corrupt swiss bank account holders finance them to carry out such deeds all over the world. The moment such corruption is stopped, terrorism would come under control to some extent. India is facing serious terrorist problem after independence.
Nobody can sleep peacefully due to the nightmare of bomb blasts. Some of the most horrible terrorist events which took place in India are Hijack of Indian Airlines in 1992, Mumbai Blasts in 1993, 2002, 2003, 2008 and now 2011, attack on Akshardham Temple, Parliament attack in 2001, Delhi High Court Blast 2011 and so on. Everything which is bad, comes to an end. I have a dream to see India as a peaceful and safe country free from any kind of terrorist activities. There will be no war, no agitation and no scream or cries. Only one thing which will exist is love.
More Articles …
Subcategories
Festivals
The category focusses on festivals followed at different places of the world.
Page 355 of 391