I Too Had a Dream Dr Verghese Kurien Karthik Srinivasan Pannaga Bhushan Abhinav Modi

Who is Dr. Kurien ? The Father of the White Revolution The Milkman of India The man behind the genesis of Amul Architect of Operation Flood Formally, was Chairman, GCMMF – Gujarat Co-operative Milk Manufacturer’s Federation

The Father of the White Revolution

The Milkman of India

The man behind the genesis of Amul

Architect of Operation Flood

Formally, was Chairman, GCMMF – Gujarat Co-operative Milk Manufacturer’s Federation

Why is he Famous ? Amul is reason enough ! There’s more – Back in 1970s, when “Indian Industrial Reforms” was not even thought of, he worked on forming one of the biggest co-operative movements for milkmen No professionals, lack of Govt support, skepticism from the beneficiaries But he persevered, and lead the change !

Amul is reason enough !

There’s more –

Back in 1970s, when “Indian Industrial Reforms” was not even thought of, he worked on forming one of the biggest co-operative movements for milkmen

No professionals, lack of Govt support, skepticism from the beneficiaries

But he persevered, and lead the change !

Operation Flood Largest dairy development program in the world Due to this, India became largest milk producer in the world Implementation fraught with challenges : Executed over multiple decades in phases Plethora of stakeholders – small, rural farmers; co-operatives Long-term initiative – convincing these people was a challeng Administrative hurdles Government apathy and bureaucracy Resistance from other stakeholders who were in a losing position

Largest dairy development program in the world

Due to this, India became largest milk producer in the world

Implementation fraught with challenges :

Executed over multiple decades in phases

Plethora of stakeholders – small, rural farmers; co-operatives

Long-term initiative – convincing these people was a challeng

Administrative hurdles

Government apathy and bureaucracy

Resistance from other stakeholders who were in a losing position

Phases in Brief Phase 1 (1970 – 1980) Financed by skimmed milk and butter oil gifted by EEC through WFP NDDB planned the program and negotiated EEC assistance Linked 18 premier milk sheds in India with consumers in metros – Mother Dairies established in metros Phase 2 (1981 – 1985) Number of Milk sheds increased from 18 to 136 Self sustaining system – 43,000 village co-ops, 4.25 million milk producers Domestic milk powder production – increased from 22,000 tons earlier to 1,40,000 tons in 1989 Direct marketing of milk by co-ops increased manifold Phase 3 (1985 - 1996) Expand and strengthen the infrastructure for procurement and production Vet first-aid, health care, feed, artificial insemination services introduced Intensified member education Large number of new co-ops added Increase in participation of women and women co-ops Emphasis on R & D, Innovations, Productivity increase.

Phase 1 (1970 – 1980)

Financed by skimmed milk and butter oil gifted by EEC through WFP

NDDB planned the program and negotiated EEC assistance

Linked 18 premier milk sheds in India with consumers in metros – Mother Dairies established in metros

Phase 2 (1981 – 1985)

Number of Milk sheds increased from 18 to 136

Self sustaining system – 43,000 village co-ops, 4.25 million milk producers

Domestic milk powder production – increased from 22,000 tons earlier to 1,40,000 tons in 1989

Direct marketing of milk by co-ops increased manifold

Phase 3 (1985 - 1996)

Expand and strengthen the infrastructure for procurement and production

Vet first-aid, health care, feed, artificial insemination services introduced

Intensified member education

Large number of new co-ops added

Increase in participation of women and women co-ops

Emphasis on R & D, Innovations, Productivity increase.

Results & Benefits 26 year movement Hailed as a success by international bodies like WDB, as a model for rural up-liftment Milkmen, earlier dependent on crops rather than milk produce, gained a lot. Excellent country-wide infrastructure for a perishable item created! Freedom from mercy of milk traders, who took advantage of the perishable nature of milk and fleeced the producers

26 year movement

Hailed as a success by international bodies like WDB, as a model for rural up-liftment

Milkmen, earlier dependent on crops rather than milk produce, gained a lot.

Excellent country-wide infrastructure for a perishable item created!

Freedom from mercy of milk traders, who took advantage of the perishable nature of milk and fleeced the producers

Awards and Recognitions for Dr. Kurien Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership Padma Shri Padma Bhushan Padma Vibhushan Krishi Ratna World Food Prize Laureate 1993 International Person of the Year (by the World Dairy USA) And many more…

Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership

Padma Shri

Padma Bhushan

Padma Vibhushan

Krishi Ratna

World Food Prize Laureate

1993 International Person of the Year (by the World Dairy USA)

And many more…

Unhealthy Politics? Compelled to resign on 24 th March, 2006 Organizational Politics  Stated reasons Inability to assimilate new ideas Resistance to change – mostly in marketing organization One more case of a successful person dethroned by his successors, once they felt he has outlived his utility – jealousy ?

Compelled to resign on 24 th March, 2006

Organizational Politics 

Stated reasons

Inability to assimilate new ideas

Resistance to change – mostly in marketing organization

One more case of a successful person dethroned by his successors, once they felt he has outlived his utility – jealousy ?

How did he learn leadership? Recognizing what fate gives you and building on it (refer Kiran Bedi’s speech) Learning from mentors, though educated lesser Recognition on one’s shortcomings Networking, in high places

Recognizing what fate gives you and building on it (refer Kiran Bedi’s speech)

Learning from mentors, though educated lesser

Recognition on one’s shortcomings

Networking, in high places

How did he learn leadership? Courage in failure Knowledge of varied domains Meticulous & Hard Working

Courage in failure

Knowledge of varied domains

Meticulous & Hard Working

Lessons from Dr. Kurien Never Say Die Spirit Thinking Big Communication Style Honesty Networking Skills Behavior Business Acumen Learning & Knowledge Capabilities Resolve Humility Open Minded Attributes Character Aspect

Conclusion A few blips aside, Kurien has been a successful leader beyond doubt Kurien’s life serves as a lesson in leadership The lessons from his life should be customized to whatever setting we belong to and be applied

A few blips aside, Kurien has been a successful leader beyond doubt

Kurien’s life serves as a lesson in leadership

The lessons from his life should be customized to whatever setting we belong to and be applied

References Course Material of ‘Leadership & Organizational Change’ – Prof Anand Ram, IIM- Bangalore, 2008 ‘ I too had a dream’ – Verghese Kurien as told to Gouri Salvi; Lotus Collection – Roli Books News Articles: http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/op/2006/04/09/stories/2006040900681800.htm - Address the fears Kurien has voiced http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1457538,prtpage-1.cms - 'Milkman' of India quits 'Taste of India'

Course Material of ‘Leadership & Organizational Change’ – Prof Anand Ram, IIM- Bangalore, 2008

‘ I too had a dream’ – Verghese Kurien as told to Gouri Salvi; Lotus Collection – Roli Books

News Articles:

http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/op/2006/04/09/stories/2006040900681800.htm - Address the fears Kurien has voiced

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/msid-1457538,prtpage-1.cms - 'Milkman' of India quits 'Taste of India'

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