The campus of CEG gloriously commemorated the 100th birthday of Dr Verghese Kurien on the 26th of November this year. How the ‘Father of the White Revolution in India built what is now a $5.3 billion-turnover dairy enterprise owned by 3.6 million farmers is a legacy worthy of taking many lessons from.
Born in Kozhikode, Dr Kurien was an Indian engineer and entrepreneur regarded as the architect of India’s “Operation Flood,” which transformed the country from an importer of dairy products to the world’s largest milk producer through a system of farmer cooperatives. His program worked through a long range to increase milk production while augmenting rural incomes and keeping prices within reach for consumers. He set up many institutions of excellence like AMUL and NDDB (National Dairy Development Board), and his thriving legacy lives on.
To commemorate this remarkable achievement by a man who walked the corridors of Anna University, daughter of Padma Vibhushan Dr Verghese Kurien – Mrs Nirmala Kurien was invited to the campus as the guest of honour.
The ceremony began with a welcome address by Mr. M.V. Roop Chandar, the president of the Alumni association CEG. Next, a brief on the life and achievements of Dr.Kurien was presented. Many dignitaries such as Prof. Dr.R.Velraj - Vice-Chancellor of Anna University, and Chief Guest Mr.K.S Kandaswamy IAS graced the occasion. The lamp-lighting ceremony inaugurated the event. It was followed by the presentation of shawls to the honourees. The distinguished Dr.R.Velraj provided the presidential address. Then, the chief guest Mr.K.S Kandaswamy IAS, the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Co-operative Milk Producer Federation Limited, also delivered his speech. Mrs.Nirmala Kurien was also requested to provide the keynote address.
Many members from the Alumni Association fondly reminisced about the many memories they shared with Dr.Kurien during his days in CEG. Mr. Gnanasekaran, an alumnus of the 1979 batch, even delivered a ‘kavidai’ as a toast. The event began to wrap up with the handing over of a grant worth Rs 35,000 to the CEG Motor Sports Club and when the Alumnus Batch of 1991 presented laptops to a few students. The ceremony was a resounding success.
There’s much that we can say about the event and the accomplishments of Padma Vibushan Dr. Verghese Kurien. He has left behind him a legacy, and it continues to flourish even today as the glory of an entire nation and the thousands of lives it touched and ameliorated. His successful endeavours as a business head are testimony to the fact that all it takes is just one man, one clever, trail-blazing man with an idea, to cause a revolution.
