Dr. V. Kurien: A Tribute

Dr. V. Kurien: Commemorative Issue FOR PRIVATE CIRCULATION

December 2012

Remembering the Legend
The Utterly Butterly Man

Decoding the King

Remembering Dr. V. Kurien –
the Father of White Revolution

Koffee with Kurien

The Spirit of Cooperation

Amul is a Woman Thing

Undeniably Unforgettable

Institute of Rural Management Anand

2 Network
NOTIFICATION
I, Pratik Modi, Alumni Co-ordinator, have been appointed vide letter No D.O.(O.ORD)42/12 dated 28 December
2012 by the Director IRMA, as the Returning Officer for conduct of elections to the 11th Executive Committee
of the IRMA Alumni Association (IAA hereafter) in accordance with the provisions of its constitution:
And whereas under clause 9.0 read with clause 12.1 of the constitution, all ordinary members of the
Association (as defined in clause 4.1 of the constitution) are required to elect the following Executive
Committee members.
1. One post of President
2. One post of Vice-President
3. One post of Secretary
4. One representative of each zone (as defined under clause 15.0 of the constitution which includes
North, South, East, West, and International Zones)
And now, therefore, in exercise of my powers as the Returning Officer, call upon all ordinary members of
the Association to elect the Executive Committee members as aforesaid as per the procedures laid down in
Schedules 1&2 appended to this notification.
December 31, 2012 Sd/-
Anand Returning Officer
(Pratik Modi)

SCHEDULE 1
IRMA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION, ANAND
SCHEDULE OF ELECTION, 2013
1. Date of issue of Election notification by the returning officer 31 December 2012
2. Last date and time for the receipt of nomination papers by the returning officer 4 February 2013
3. Scrutiny of nomination papers by the returning officer 6 February 2013
4 Last date and time of withdrawal of nominations to reach the returning officer 10 February 2013
5. Publication of voters’ list 15 February 2013
6. Post of ballot papers/voting guidelines to the electorate by the returning officer 20 February 2013
7. Last date and time for receipt of postal ballots/votes by returning officer 25 March 2013
8. Counting of votes and declaration of result by returning officer 29 March 2013
Members may send their ballot papers by ordinary post to save time. However, registered/couriered post will
also be accepted. Hand delivery can also be made at the Alumni Office and acknowledgement obtained.
Withdrawal of nominations can also be made by fax, email, or by telegram followed by a confirmation by post.
The voters’ list would be published and exhibited prominently on a notice board at IRMA.
December 31, 2012 Sd/-
Anand Returning Officer
(Pratik Modi)

Contd. on page 47

3 Network Remembering the Legend

CONTENTS
1. End of an Iconic Era........................................................................................... 5
– Yoginder K Alagh
2. Dr. V. Kurien: Persona and Contributions........................................................... 6
– HS Shylendra
3. IRMA: The House that Kurien Built..................................................................... 9
– Tushaar Shah
4. Remembering Dr. V. Kurien - the Father of White Revolution...........................11
– Katar Singh
5. Dr. Kurien’s Better Half..................................................................................... 13
– Indrani Talukdar
6. Up Close and Personal..................................................................................... 14
– PS Mohan
7. Amul Dairy Museum: The Milky Way to Success............................................. 16
– Anand Venkatesh
8. Down Memory Lane......................................................................................... 17
– V Mukunda Das
9. Decoding the King............................................................................................ 18
– MS Sriram
10. The Spirit of Cooperation.................................................................................. 20
– Haribandhu Panda
11. Carillon Chimes: A looming presence............................................................... 23
– Indrani Talukdar
12. The Inimitable Dr. K......................................................................................... .24
– CP Mohan
13. Koffee with Kurien............................................................................................ 27
.
– Meher Gadekar
14. A Magnetic Personality..................................................................................... 30
– Anand Venkatesh
15. Itna Vaada Kar de............................................................................................. 31
– Paresh Bhatt
16. Undeniably Unforgettable................................................................................. 32
– Anshul Malik
17. The Utterly Butterly Man................................................................................... 34
– Priyam Mukherji
18. Amul is a Woman Thing................................................................................... 36
.
– Devaki Jain
19. I Too Had A Dream’: Book Review.................................................................... 38
– Rishi Kesavaram

Editorial Committee
Editor: Anand Venkatesh
Editorial Associate: Indrani Talukdar
Network Secretariat: Susamma T

Network is a quarterly publication of IRMA aiming to generate
communication among alumni, well-wishers and present
participants of IRMA. Send the materials for consideration of
publicaion in Network to : network@irma.ac.in

Disclamer: The views and opinions expressed in articles are
those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect
those of NETWORK, IRMA.

4 Network
Editorial
Dear Esteemed Reader,

It is seldom that one has a sense of disbelief and doubt while reporting a factual event. But that is
precisely the feeling one gets while writing that Dr Kurien is no longer with us, even after three months
of his sad demise. It was universally felt at IRMA that the first and foremost thing IRMA can, and must
do, to remember the legend is to bring out a special issue of Network dedicated to Dr Kurien. Indeed,
this idea emanated from several quarters within IRMA at about the same time. The next question was,
“what should this special issue contain?” Once again, the Network team felt that it should not just focus
on the multitude of achievements by the great man, or for that matter, his yeoman service towards
rural poverty alleviation. Rather, this issue should be about IRMA’s memories of Dr Kurien. This in
turn leads to the question, who or what, is IRMA? To venture an answer: IRMA’s alumni and current
participants, faculty past and present, staff members, and several well wishers of IRMA in the outside
world. We felt that collating memories, views and anecdotes, from each of these would add another
dimension to understanding Dr Kurien. In other words, ambitious though it may seem, one would
get a chance to know Dr Kurien more as a human being transcending the vast sea of his legendary
achievements. At the very outset, we realized that any effort in this direction would remain incomplete
without hearing from Mrs Molly Kurien. The interview with Mrs Kurien was indeed an eye opener. It
not only revealed fascinating insights about Dr Kurien the person but through Mrs Kurien’s humility
and frankness we could fathom the crucial role she played in Dr Kurien’s feats which border on the
unbelievable. Once again my hands tremble with disbelief when I recollect that within two months of
the interview Mrs Kurien too left us to join her husband in his heavenly abode.

While compiling this special issue we realized that it is limiting to think that Dr Kurien touched the
lives of only those who interacted with him in some capacity or the other. Current IRMA participants
who had never seen Dr Kurien in person were desirous of writing about him based on the tremendous
influence he had in their decision to shape their careers and lives in a particular way. Also the history
and significance of two monuments in the proximity of which the immortal presence of Dr Kurien can
be strongly felt – the Carillon Chimes and the Amul Museum – are covered in this issue.

As mentioned in the editorial of the previous issue of Network, we would be introducing changes which
would make this lovely periodical even more reader friendly. For a start, we have brought out this
special issue dedicated to Dr Kurien in colour. Also, articles are interspersed with photographs and
blurbs. However, to know that we are in the right direction, your feedback is crucial for us. So please
spare some time to email us your views, comments and suggestions to further improve Network.

Last, but by no means the least, do not confine articles on Dr Kurien to just special issues. Rather,
let us make every issue of Network special by having articles in memory of Dr Kurien.

Yours Truly

Anand Venkatesh
(Editor)


End of an Iconic Era
With Dr. Kurien’s death an age has come to an end but his heritage lives on.

T he passing away of Verghese
Kurien marks the end of an
epoch. He was not only a man
had to be dispensed he would make
the machine.
as shining examples. This is the only
management school that does not
feel happy when you join an MNC.
And of course, Amul became the
with a vision but one who could
symbol of all that was India. A What now, I am asked. Actually eras
fashion it to create mighty edifices.
cooperative must have regular like this never come to an end. The
He changed the discourse. When I
elections. Its accounts must be National Dairy Development Plan
went to the FAO for building its first
audited annually. Kurien hated talks about cooperatives, self help
global model of world agriculture
crooks and charlatans. When I was groups, and producer companies.
an orthodoxy prevailed that dairying
asked to succeed him at IRMA I said Many NGOs have been working
could only be carried out on a large
“No. He is my hero.” But I agreed on these models. NABARD has
scale, in ranches and large industrial been building financial products for
to talk to him. It was at peak of
complexes. The unemployed farmer them. Today, even corporations like
summer in the Kurien enclave, one
was without resources and poor.
Dr. Kurien said no: If the farmers
can access technology and markets
on their farms they would not be a
problem but an asset. Having seen
the dream he wouldn’t budge. He
was right and he knew it in his heart.
To him the critics were all wet and
worse still, either “bureaucrats or
charlatans”. First India and then the
world recognised him with awards
and glory.

He would cover the last mile. And
how! In his biography there is the Amul became the symbol of all that was India.
story of a crane going haywire. He
jumps on it and bleeds but brings of those deliciously languorous days DCMs Harayali and Rallis’s I Shakti
it under control. When I was in the in Gujarat, when he told me, “If you Pulses follow the Producer Company
Planning Commission in my early are doing it Yoginder, I am happy”. model. It is another matter that the
days he had a project on shrikhand Corporate Affairs Ministry has been
for the Sugam dairy. Of course the A third of rural income comes from giving a cold shoulder to the Second
Project Division guys wouldn’t bite. dairying and he produced the only
Amendment of The Company Act
Halwais would become unemployed, model that is in existence. He
2002 that mandated the Producer
they said. The technology of large created a phalanx that would follow
Companies. When I asked the
scale was unproven. He asked me through. He realised thirty years
ago that it was not just machines author if the proposal for Producer
to help and I arranged a meeting. Companies came from a group I
and technology but managers who
They went at him and he listened chaired, he said nonchalantly, “Those
would make a difference. And of
to them. Then looking them straight are not companies”. Of course they
course, if they are needed they
in the eye he said, “You fellows are not. That’s what Kurien’s legacy
have to be the best. It is a pleasure
can’t milk a cow and will give me is all about. Kurien’s heritage will
to listen to the women and men he
lectures”. If cheese had to be made not give up. It will give all of them
inspired. IRMans like Sodhi, Shiv
he would reverse engineer it. If milk a good fight.
Kumar and many others stand out
By: Prof. Yoginder K. Alagh, Ex-Chairman of IRMA, Email- yalagh@gmail.com

6 Network
Dr. V. Kurien:
Persona and Contributions
Operation Flood and the setting up of IRMA were just two of
Dr. Kurien’s several contributions, outstanding for their merit and vision.

W ith the passing away of Dr.
V. Kurien a key phase in the
country’s history of the Amul-inspired
in Anand was the conviction he
developed while working with farmers
and helping them build their own
Having been a manager himself
while running a cooperative (Amul)
effectively for nearly two decades,
cooperative movement has come to institutions. This became the single Dr. Kurien knew the ingredients of
an end. While it is not clear how most important mission of his life success needed for OF. Without
far an individual can influence the and career, propelling him towards going into all the details, which
history of any movement, the distinct his innumerable accomplishments. are widely known in any case, it
role of Dr. Kurien in the propagation From such strong conviction was is worthwhile recalling a few major
of the dairy cooperative movement born courage that, in turn, helped strategies bearing the hallmark of
cannot be ignored. Before I go on him surmount the challenges and the ‘Kurien style of management and
to highlight some of his specific adversaries he faced in life. No development’. First and foremost,
contributions I would like to briefly one could trifle with him or the Dr. Kurien ensured that the National
expound on certain personal institutions he created, and if he Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
characteristics underpinning his had to ruffle a few feathers in the set up for the purpose remained
achievements. pursuit of his goals he did so without autonomous – legally and financially
turning a hair. The portrayal of Dr. – even during the heydays of state
Diminutive in height Dr. Kurien had a
Kurien would be incomplete without and bureaucratic control endemic to
commanding presence, nonetheless.
a mention of his commitment to all state-led bodies. Dr. Kurien was
I realised this fact soon after
simplicity, honesty and integrity, just not prepared for any kind of top-
having joined IRMA in 1993. During
values that he pursued in both his down bureaucratic system dictating
various talks and lectures and in my
personal and professional life. Dr. the implementation of a development
subsequent interactions with him I
Kurien ensured that the projects project. He not only succeeded in
discovered in him a master orator
and institutions he headed remained convincing the government that
who was instantly able to recall
above board when it came to issues NDDB had to be set up away from
many historical facts and weave a
like corruption and nepotism. Delhi, he also managed it highly
wonderful story around them. His
professionally. Whatever success OF
speeches would leave one spell I would now like to expound on
achieved was primarily attributable to
bound. A colleague had remarked some of his specific contributions,
this autonomy built very consciously.
once that it was a blunder to make especially relating to Operation
But Dr Kurien was also fully aware
him read a written speech even Flood (OF) and Institute of Rural
that the autonomy was to be used
during a formal occasion. Oration Management Anand (IRMA), two of
for the attainment of set goals and
apart, he was a man of conviction his major accomplishments.
not squandered for any narrow
and courage. Admittedly, Dr Kurien
Operation Flood (OF): OF was gains. He used the autonomy to the
came to Anand as a reluctant
aimed at replicating and scaling- hilt. He along with his team evolved
professional. But once he decided
up the Anand Pattern Co-operative many innovative strategies and
to stay on there was no stopping
model (or Amul model) all over India. practices while executing OF. Some
him from his deep involvement with
An exceptional project, it bore the
cooperatives and achieving whatever distinguishing features of the OF
stamp of Dr. Kurien’s acumen and
he wanted. What kept him stay put include its financing by converting
execution.

food aid into a development fund, aware of the class/caste tensions conceptual abilities of potential
professional management of but could not explicitly strategise rural managers. IRMA has carved a
programme implementation and for such eventualities. He did unique niche for itself in the domain
the cooperatives that were created believe, however, that economic of rural management education
through multi-disciplinary teams, development could surmount such bearing a deep imprint of its creator.
and the development of need- contradictions in the long run. To Having realised the acute need
based technology. He insisted on him dairy development was, among for professionals to help manage
making farmers’ cooperatives an other things, a strategy and means farmers’ organisations Dr. Kurien
integral part of OF. As far as Dr. of attaining self-reliance for the was, in a way, compelled to establish
Kurien was concerned, cooperatives developing countries. He strongly IRMA with mainstream management
were not merely instruments of advocated protectionism against the institutions like the IIMs refusing
project implementation but ways machinations of developed countries. to see his point of view. Having
of unleashing the broader process worked with farmers he was very
OF was thus a unique programme
of participation, democracy, and clear on the type of education that
that paved the way for combining
development. He went on to become needed to be imparted to potential
institutions with professional
the champion of the cooperative rural managers. In one of his early
management to uplift disadvantaged
cause. speeches delivered before IRMA’s
communities in developing countries.
OF relied on small farmer based Board of Governors, Dr. Kurien
Dr Kurien wanted this approach to
dairy development as opposed to had argued that, “…the orientation
pervade other sectors of the rural
the large scale mechanised dairy of these new managers will have
economy. Academically speaking,
husbandry of western countries. to be substantially different. They
somewhere along the way, this
This was a major developmental must work under the compulsions
approach assumed the form of a new
strategy that he consciously adopted of the farmers’ interest and therefore
discipline called ‘rural management’
given the conditions of rural India.
Socially, it helped broad base the
participation of a large number of
small and marginal farmers in dairy
development while economically it
helped tap low cost resources of the
farming community. But OF did face
challenges and limitations that eluded
solutions even for a master strategist
like Dr. Kurien. The replication of
the Anand Pattern Cooperatives
encountered many difficulties at the
state level. Non conducive conditions
for the promotion and working of co-
IRMA – Dr. Kurien’s brainchild
operatives in an autonomous way
constrained the uniform success of that, in turn, led to the formation of there must be a significant variation
OF. Being aware of this Dr. Kurien the Institute of Rural Management in their attitudes and character.”
strongly advocated the promotion Anand (IRMA). He had expressed the hope that
of autonomous cooperatives by “the IRMA Board would address
Institute of Rural Management
reforming archaic cooperative itself to these questions right from
Anand: IRMA is another major
legislations. Dairy cooperatives at the inception stage and that these
outcome of the visionary effort of Dr.
the village level, like most other concerns would be reflected in the
Kurien. While NDDB was the field
sectors, also got trapped in the selection procedures and curricula
for pushing practical boundaries,
mire of elitism. Dr. Kurien was well for the institute as well as all other
IRMA became the base for honing

8 Network
aspects of its functioning”. He had this. While ensuring autonomy from he was keen to replicate IRMA in
been clear in his mind regarding the external forces he also advocated different regions of the country which
expectations from rural managers the faculty’s need for internal somehow did not materialise during
and the kind of institution that autonomy. A techno-manager to his tenure.
needed to be created for them. His boot, Dr. Kurien sought the help of To conclude, while history may
vision has helped IRMA evolve as a many renowned educationists and judge him more comprehensively, Dr
unique rural management institution. other experts of the country and Kurien has left an indelible mark on
As was the case with NDDB he abroad in shaping IRMA. He invited of the institutions he helped create.
realised that IRMA should have an them to be on the Board of IRMA yet The challenge before some of these
autonomous governance structure. never allowed anyone to divert or institutions- NDDB or GCMMF or for
Autonomy was to be ensured in hijack IRMA from its original mission. that matter IRMA, is how to retain
terms of governance and finances He was proud of the fact that while and sustain the basic purpose,
and in terms of intellectual reflection. there were hundreds of management excellence and integrity which Dr.
During his tenure as Chairman he schools there was only one IRMA. Kurien tried infusing in them as a
tried every possible way of ensuring Given the vast needs of the country committed manager and visionary.
By: Prof. H.S. Shylendra, Professor, Institute of Rural Management, Anand, Email- hss@irma.ac.in

Chairman’s Welcome Address to the 26th batch of PRM
& the 4th batch of FPRM Students
June 17, 2005
Dear PRM and FPRM students,
You all have joined IRMA this summer. I welcome you all to the Institute. You all will agree, I am sure, that you are very
much privileged to get selected for admission here from amongst thousands who applied from all over the country. You will
now have a golden opportunity to prepare yourself to work for a worthy cause i.e. for the betterment of rural India where
the large mass of the deprived people live and who have been neglected for decades after Independence.
IRMA has state-of-the-art facilities to facilitate your studies. It has good faculty, excellent library, comfortable hostels with
internet connection, and spacious sports amenities. The whole campus is maintained as an oasis of well manicured
beautiful green lawns to keep you ever fresh and revitalised for conducting your studies sincerely in a serene environment.
All this is done with a purpose. IRMA is a unique institution. It is not similar to the mainstream common institutes of
management education which are there in hundreds in the country – several of them running as teaching shops and some
others mainly geared to meet the needs of the private corporates whose main objective is profit maximisation to further
fatten the affluent classes, and the employees in such organisations commanding huge resources, may get fat salary and
perks but essentially work as a cog in the gigantic corporate machine.
IRMA is not meant to follow the mainstream. It has a unique and noble mission, namely, to promote equitable and
sustainable development, especially rural development with a view to benefit the large rural populace. How does
IRMA endeavour to fulfil this mission and vision? It is through contributing to professionalise the management of the
undermanaged rural organisations, especially people’s institutions like cooperatives and also, NGOs which honestly work in
line with IRMA’s mission. IRMA conducts a set of programmes and activities for the purpose of professonalisation. PRM
has been the main teaching programme here since the institute was set up 25 years ago. It has emerged as pioneering
programme establishing the discipline of rural management which is being replicated elsewhere in the country. Launching
of the FPRM has taken the discipline of rural management to a greater height.
We all have expectations in life. This is justified. But these days most people are largely after mammon worship. We
need money which makes our life comfortable. Yes, money can buy you material comforts. But it cannot buy everything.
One-sided pursuit of material comforts generally make us one-dimensional. Humans are not mere homo economicus
(economic being). They are creative in nature and, hence, require space to innovate and create, which involves not only
imagination but also confronting the existing challenges. Humans need respect and love in society.
Contd... p. 15


IRMA: The House that Kurien Built
Of all the magnificent institutions built by Dr. Kurien IRMA was,
perhaps, closest to his heart.
D uring his long stint as a serial
institution builder Dr. Kurien
emerged as a champion of farmer
who referred to it as EERMA, but
gave up after sometime.
bovine diseases—was converted
into a makeshift office and class
room complex for a young IRMA.
While returning from a trip to
cooperatives. The National Dairy Kanvinde and Rai, who happened to
Europe Dr Kurien stopped by for
Development Board (NDDB) was be among the best known architects
a few hours to talk to the Swiss
a charitable trust and companies of the country, were asked to design
Development Cooperation (SDC)
like HPCL, IDMC and Mother Dairy the IRMA campus on a 65 acre plot
about IRMA and returned to Anand
were owned by it. At one time the adjacent to the NDDB campus. There
with a commitment from the Swiss
Tribhuvandas Foundation was a were opinions galore expressed
to fund the construction of the
leading NGO of Gujarat, which Dr. on what the campus should look
entire campus, including the class
Kurien helped set up along with like. Someone suggested a rustic,
room complex, auditorium hostels,
several other institutions. There were austere place mimicking a village. Dr
faculty housing and everything else
few institutions, however, on which Kurien brushed it aside saying, “You
required to create an institution of
he showered as much care and cannot produce kings in a pigsty.”
character. The Swiss along with
attention as he did on IRMA. Building an educational institution
the Ford Foundation also offered to
The idea of IRMA was not on fund a faculty development program. was a wholly new experience for
anybody’s mental map until 1978. Everything fell into place surprisingly him. But he was soon forming his
Much before that, however, a quickly. IRMA looked like the right own vision of what was required. His
realisation had dawned that idea at the right time coming from the vision of IRMA was of an institution
Operation Flood II would not be right man. The decision was taken that would produce young men and
able to take off without a cadre of to start a one-year program in rural women who would think big, dream
trained managers. Dr Kurien offered
to fund a separate course at IIMA
to train cooperative managers but
Ravi Mathai persuaded him against
the idea. This led to the setting up
of a large HR division within NDDB
entrusted with the responsibility of
producing cooperative managers.
Ravi Mathai had, by then, introduced
Dr Kurien to Kamla Chowdhury, and
both he and the latter convinced Dr
Kurien about building an autonomous
institute with a distinct culture
and values of its own. Sreekant
Sambrani, who had done a stint at
IIMA’s Center for Management in
Agriculture, was hired to head the
cell. While several names for the
new institution were doing the rounds Dr Kurien seldom aired his views about what rural management meant to him
Sambrani helped freeze ‘Institute of
management in 1980 using NDDB’s big and, in time, act big and make
Rural Management, Anand’ (IRMA).
hostels meant for farmers to house their alma mater proud. He wanted
To dissociate it from the 1963
students. The newly constructed IRMA to reflect the significance of
comedy Irma la Douce Sambrani
diagnostic laboratory—which later India’s agricultural and rural economy
wanted IRMA to be pronounced as
did some path-breaking work on to the country’s development. He
ARMA and kept correcting anyone

10 Network
would only have the best. Later, students and society,” is what he interests. While making a difference
after IRMA’s beautiful new campus would say. He was also suspicious between rural management and
was ready, he would proudly say: “I of faculty members travelling abroad, public administration he was clear
have built an invisible wall around especially to the West: “Why don’t that IRMA was not best suited to train
IRMA. While they are here, I want we go to Bangladesh or Africa or administrators in the conventional
IRMA students to be protected from China to learn and do research? Are sense of the term. Organising rural
the filth and the pettiness all around the US and Europe sole repositories producers in viable organisations for
and dream big for the country and of knowledge about development?” dairy, oilseeds, fruit and vegetables,
themselves.” It was not easy to answer these salt, fishing, canal irrigation, health
questions. He was also wary of and a range of other economic
Dr. Kurien brought together a battery
IRMA being overwhelmed by IIMA’s activities was, in his view, a large
of some of the most experienced
influence and wanted IRMA to chart and important playing field for IRMA.
management thinkers and
its own course. He would often He also saw the rural manager as a
practitioners in the country to guide
say, “Your best rural managers will man of action more than of analysis.
the institute through its formative
be odd-balls but your selection of Honing decision-making skills was
years. These included Ravi Mathai,
students based on the objective at the heart of rural management in
Kamla Chowdhury, A M Khusro,
written test will keep most such odd- his scheme of things. But he also
Hanumantha Rao, GVK Rao and
balls out of IRMA.” believed that in order to make sound
several others who represented the
best talent and wisdom available in It would be wrong to say that Dr decisions a rural manager must have
different aspects of Indian economy. Kurien’s own management style was a good understanding of his milieu.
He welcomed all of them to shape closer to Theory Y than to theory X. Dr Kurien’s ideas of management
the philosophy of the new Institute. But he was an extraordinary example were based on a distinct model of
But when it came to building the of an authoritarian manager who
man. He abhorred treating farmers
campus he appointed himself the seldom actually used authority. He
and rural people as poor and helpless.
Site Engineer-in-Chief. Once every inspired people like nobody else did.
He never approved of treating them
week he would drive around the During the 1950’s and 60’s in Amul
with pity, even sympathy; instead, his
campus and ask detailed questions he acquired and retained a world-
constant refrain was that the farmer
of the contractors and engineers. class management team that few
should be respected for his innate
Attention to detail was the hallmark multinational companies could boast
wisdom. He believed in opening the
of his management style. He never of. His managerial authority blended
tired of telling us, “The Lord lies in with his personal power and charm door of opportunity for the farmer.
the detail”. Few campuses in India potently to keep his colleagues and “The human machine is a wonderful
remain as pretty and well-groomed co-workers in a permanently charged machine’, he used to say, ‘the more
30 years after construction as IRMA. state. The fact that he pursued a you load it, the harder it works.”
This is undeniably one of Dr. Kurien’s larger-than-life goal over personal Dr Kurien always saw IRMA as
lasting legacies. gain added to his magic. He took belonging to a class of its own, not
pride in living in an air-conditioned to be compared with other business
As IRMA came into its own and as
house and moving around in an air- schools. And yet he expressed child-
Dr. Kurien’s early advisors moved
conditioned car paid by farmers. He like joy and pride when a survey
on, there developed an interesting
insisted that farmers were not bad of management institutes in India
relationship between the latter and
paymasters if their managers helped ranked IRMA amongst the top 10.
IRMA’s faculty- which might be best
them improve their lives. He thought it was a sign of IRMA
described as one of creative tension,
and managing this became a critical Dr Kurien seldom aired his views coming into its own. Had he been
part of the Director’s responsibility. about what rural management alive today he would have been
He abhorred the way he saw meant to him. The debate seemed overjoyed to see IRMA’s ranking
‘academic freedom’ being turned meaningless to him and he thought jump from 41 to 22 in a recent
into licence in Indian academia and IRMA was wasting time splitting hair Business India survey. The real
wanted IRMA to be spared that. on it. I strongly feel that IRMA’s aim tribute IRMA can pay to its founder
“Academic freedom is the freedom should be understand the operating is to get counted amongst the top
to think what you like and advance system of India’s rural economy; his five management institutes of the
alternative theories, and not turn your own spin was that this understanding country, a feat that is wholly within
back on your duty to your institution, should be used to further farmer’s the realm of possibility.
By: Prof. Tushaar Shah, Former Director of IRMA, currently Senior Fellow: IWMI, E-mail- T.Shah@cgiar.org


Remembering Dr. V. Kurien -
the Father of White Revolution
A nostalgia-filled Tribute by one of IRMA’s Former Directors

T he late Dr. Verghese Kurien,
popularly known as the Milk Man
of India, was born on November 26,
managed includes the names like
AMUL, Gujarat Cooperative Milk
Marketing Federation (GCMMF),
He dreamt of an All India Rural
Management Service along the lines
of the Indian Administrative Service.
1921 at Kozhikode, Kerala. His father National Dairy Development Board, Part of his aspiration has been
was a civil surgeon in Cochin and and IRMA. He was Founder Chairman fulfilled with several IRMA graduates
his mother was a highly educated of IRMA until he relinquished his
Syrian Christian lady. Dr. Kurien office in 2006. Of all the institutions Dr. Kurien built, nurtured
passed away at the age of 90 in the that he founded, IRMA was closest to
and managed dozens of
early hours of September 9, 2012 at his heart. He founded IRMA with the
a Nadiad hospital near Anand after institutions of excellence
conviction that the rural managers
a brief illness. He is survived by his produced by IRMA would help
wife, a daughter, and a grandson. transform India’s rural sector into now heading many prestigious
Although a native of Kerala by birth a vibrant, modern, and progressive organisations including AMUL,
he chose Anand in Gujarat as his entity via professional management. GCMMF, and the agri-business
karma bhumi, where he stayed and I remember him saying that ‘rural’ division of ITC.
worked for over six decades. did not mean ‘backward’, nor did he Dr. Kurien’s contribution to rural
Dr. Kurien was the architect of want rural managers produced by development, particularly to
India’s modern dairy industry IRMA to live in thatched huts and cooperative dairy development,
and has been rightly called the serve the rural poor while remaining has been recognised at both the
Father of ‘White Revolution’. He poor themselves. He wanted IRMA national and international levels. He
ingeniously designed, funded and graduates to be reasonably well garnered many prestigious awards
implemented the Operation Flood paid à la their counterparts from the including the Ramon Magsaysay
(OF) programme, which was the IIMs and other reputed management Award-1963, Wateler Peace Prize
world’s largest dairy development schools and to serve the rural sector -1986, Krishi Ratna Puruskar -1986,
programme. OF enabled India not with a missionary zeal. He would the World Food Prize-1989, Padma
only to attain self sufficiency in milk often exhort the IRMA students Vibhushan -1999 and the Economic
production but also to emerge as the saying that if one Kurien could make Times Life Time Achievement Award
world’s largest milk producer. The such a difference to India’s dairy – 2001. Besides, he was also
Amul model of dairy development sector, there was no reason why awarded honorary doctorate degrees
underpinning the OF is, today, an thousands of IRMA graduates could by 11 reputed Indian and foreign
internationally renowned strategy for not transform the entire rural sector, universities including his alma mater,
promoting the economic and social alleviate the problems associated Michigan State University, USA.
well being of small milk producers with rural poverty, and enable rural I had the pleasure and privilege
including millions of landless producers to attain the economic of working closely with Dr. Kurien
households, marginal and small and social status they deserved. for over 22 years till August 31,
farmers. Amul brand dairy products He visualised IRMA graduates 2002 when I retired as Director,
are known their quality. heading all governmental and non- IRMA. Dr. Kurien was an engineer
The array of top-notch institutions governmental organisations engaged by training but a manager par
that Dr. Kurien built, nurtured, and in rural development eventually. excellence by practice. He believed

12 Network
that management was better taught approval to the proposal. Very soon and attending official functions
by those who have managed thereafter, IRMA got a telegram from and meetings.
organisations than by those with the Ministry stating that the IRMA
Dr. Kurien was both feared and
MBA degrees sans management proposal had been approved by
respected by officers and staff in
experience. While meeting with them. Dr. Kurien’s happiness knew
the organisations that he founded
IRMA’s faculty he would shoot the no bounds.
and headed. His critics considered
question, and I quote him, “how
Dr. Kurien was my mentor from him ruthless and a dictator. Yet I
many of you have managed any
whom I learnt many invaluable guru was never afraid of him and had
organisation?” Meeting with a
mantras of management from time always an easy access to him. What
negative response he would ask,
to time. Some of those mantras are is more, I found him to be a great
“How can you teach management?”
recapitulated below: human being with a kind heart full of
He was vocal in his criticism of social
compassion and strong convictions.
scientists, particularly economists • Attach the highest values to
whom he would often deride. He was integrity and sincerity in your Dr. Kurien was a great patriot, a
fond of saying that social scientists work and behaviour. visionary, and a real Bharat Ratna
did not engage in any constructive • Give people more than what they in the literal sense. Farmers,
development work but only wrote expect. particularly milk producers, will
and criticised those who did good always remember him as their
• Give adequate attention to even messiah. He had unflinching faith
work for people’s benefit.
the minute details of every job in producers’ cooperatives as the
A great strategist he knew how assigned to you best instrument of promoting the
to use politicians and bureaucrats
• While writing a letter to an economic and social well being
to help achieve his mission. I can
important person prepare several of rural producers and pursued
recall a plethora of instances when
drafts, revise and improve them this philosophy single-mindedly
he achieved his objectives using
until you are fully satisfied. throughout his life. I don’t know of any
this approach. I shall cite just one of
living person who has contributed so
them here. The proposal for setting • Before making a call to an
much towards promoting the cause
up IRMA had been pending with important person or official
of agricultural and rural development
the Ministry of Agriculture for over seeking his / her approval of an
in India. May his high ideals and
two years. The Expenditure Finance important proposal, rehearse it
lofty principles guide and inspire the
Committee (EFC) would raise trivial several times before you make
young generation of rural managers
queries which it would expect IRMA the call.
to contribute their best in the service
to answer. Since I was, at the time, • Be punctual and ensure of rural producers in India.
IRMA’s Coordinator, Administration, punctuality from everyone else in
Dr. Kurien would ask me to answer the organisation / department that
the queries and put up drafts of letters you head. “The establishment of IRMA in
to the EFC on his behalf. That done, 1979, with the objective of providing
more queries would follow suit. As • Keep your eyes and ears open high quality management training,
the cycle went on he got fed up and for knowing what is happening in research and consultancy support to
came up with an ingenious solution. your organisation. cooperatives and rural development
He invited the then prime Minister of • Remain accessible to even the organisations was yet another
India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi as Chief lowest level employees in your creative and innovative venture
Guest at IRMA’s first Convocation. organisation and act on their for which the nation would always
Having known Dr. Kurien personally suggestions, if required, to both remain indebted to Dr. Kurien and
Mrs. Gandhi accepted the invitation. reform the system and/ or redress his colleagues”.
Word got around and the Ministry of their grievances. – Dr Manmohan Singh, Secretary, GOI
Agriculture got into action, speeding 10th Annual Convocation Address, 1991
• Be courteous and follow
up the process of granting its
etiquettes when meeting visitors
By: Dr. Katar Singh, Former Director of IRMA; currently Honorary (Founder) Chairman, India Natural Resources Economics
and Management (INREM) Foundation, Anand -388 001 E-mail: singhkatar@gmail.com


Dr. Kurien’s Better Half
An informal tête-à-tête with Mrs. Kurien.

T he staid grace of Molly Kurien
appears to epitomise the oft-
repeated cliché: “Behind every
Waking up at the wee hours of
the night had become endemic to
the existence of the couple. “Every
the twin rust-coloured setters she
had raised since they were pups.
Dr. Kurien, not overly fond of pets,
successful man is a great woman.” now and then he would have to run too grew to love them. Dr. Kurien
Mrs. Kurien’s greatness lies in her to Delhi with regard to work. The did not share her passion for
quiet strength and fortitude. Her nearest airport being in Ahmedabad reading although he loved reading
recent loss hasn’t daunted this we would have to rise at two thirty newspapers and watching TV news.
indomitable woman who stood by so that he would be able to catch An ardent sports’ lover he enjoyed
her legendary husband through the the early morning flight to Delhi.” a good of tennis. Chess was his
vicissitudes of a life full of brilliance And so it went on for years. “One favourite among indoor sports. “Only
and inspiration. The drawing room of the good things about Kurien was towards the end,” she reminisces
of her house reflects the reticent that no matter how challenging the sadly, “he started withdrawing. He
grandeur of its occupant. Her work at hand, he was able to switch didn’t want to play any game, not
daughter Nirmala, she says, lives in off at will. He never carried his work even chess.”
Chennai. She looks at us as if bracing worries into the house.” The secret
Time is merciless, as they say, and
for the inevitable question: what of longevity in a long-standing
on September 9 it took away her
part did she play in her husband’s relationship like marriage, perhaps?
husband and a great soul from our
revolutionary contributions?
Did the originator of India’s White midst. It is a loss Mrs. Molly Kurien
“It was all his doing, all the ideas, Revolution exhibit any of his by- has borne with characteristic fortitude
everything,” she smiles, “I, of course, now famous traits of integrity and and grace. That day, at the Kurien’s
supported him.” Did the Kuriens have punctuality at home? “He certainly tastefully appointed house we learnt
a social life? “Here? In this town? did so,” she laughs. “If he set a time a little more of the man that was
Do you know, when I first came to he would stick to it no matter what. Dr. Kurien. And we came away with
Anand I wanted to run away!” she And he stood by the principle of deep admiration for his better half.
articulates in a tone that doesn’t integrity right till the very end.” Yet
betray a trace of her Keralite origin. the man, contrary to his image, was
Communication was a barrier being far from formidable. Once a young
unfamiliar with the language. “I still student wanted to meet with him and
can’t speak Gujarati,” she sighs. “It simply hung outside, too overawed
was a little difficult to have a social to enter. Dr. Kurien, on learning of
life really given the hectic schedule this, invited her in. Later the student
of my husband,” she admits. “By couldn’t help lauding aloud the
the time he would return from work humility and friendliness of the man.
it would be seven thirty (if he didn’t
With her husband constantly under
have a meeting, that is). Dinner
the spotlight his better half devoted
would soon follow and he would be
herself fully to the running of the
in bed by nine.”
house, which she did with full
In the early years, when Dr. Kurien capability at her command. During
was building Amul and other his frequent absences she turned
institutions, he would wake up at towards her favourite passion:
two thirty in the morning, deliberate books. “I love mystery thrillers,”
on what was to be done and then she enthuses, her favourite author
go back to sleep to wake up later being John Grisham among other
at six am. This was the routine for mystery novelists. “And I love dogs!”
several years. she beams recalling with affection Mrs. Molly Kurien

Indrani Talukdar, Editor, IRMA, E-mail: indrani@irma.ac.in

Mrs. Kurien was interviewed by the Network team in October 2012, prior to her sad demise

14 Network
Up Close and Personal
Being personal assistant to a legend is never easy, yet it is also an experience to be valued.

T his happened one winter.
November 1998, to be precise.
Dr. Verghese Kurien, who had just
from our boss while I would take
care of all routine matters of office
correspondence and coordinate
Dr. Kurien’s punctuality fixation is
well known. He would make a point
of being present – meetings included
stepped down from the Chairmanship his travel plans. Joseph, obviously, – prior to the time fixed. Those
of NDDB shifted his office to IRMA. had more interactions with him were the days when, during guest
I was told by the Administration than I did. Then Joseph went on programmes arranged by the NDDB,
Coordinator that I would henceforth leave and I was required to interact guests would also come thronging to
be working in Dr. Kurien’s with him on a one on one basis. I IRMA, AMUL, and other places. Any
Secretariat. I received the news would enter Dr. Kurien’s office with delay in a guest programme or a
with mixed feelings having heard trepidation telling myself, “a mouse meeting would have the programme
umpteen stories about my legendary entering the lion’s den” and hear my coordinator come running to Dr.
new boss who had the reputation heart thudding. In time I realised the Kurien informing him about it.
for being a hard task master. I had deep humility of the man. It dawned
Once, during the height of summer,
long known about his strict views on on me that me that Dr. Kurien’s
personality was coconut-like: hard someone from a group of visitors
discipline and punctuality and was
on the outside and soft inside. All questioned Dr. Kurien about the
already trembling thinking of my new
that he asked for was that the job on green lushness of the lawns at the
assignment.
hand be attended to with immediate Institute. Dr. Kurien, then IRMA
On the first day I entered the office effect. He also liked to have honest Chairman, looked at the group and
I was greeted by P.A. Joseph, Dr. answers sans trappings. If you did solemnly declared, “we don’t water
Kurien’s Executive Assistant who laid not know something required of you, the lawns.’ As he paused for a second
my considerable fears aside. Joseph it was best to admit it instead of before throwing up both hands in his
would be taking work instructions humming and hawing. characteristic style everybody looked

The Government of India showered him with awards; the highest Indian award, “Bharat Ratna”, kept eluding him.

on expectantly. “We pour milk, our from the members’ list on the draft Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan
heart!” The group burst out laughing. agenda before sending it off to the and Padma Vibhushan. The highest
Like his punctuality, his Chairman who immediately crossed Indian award, “Bharat Ratna”, kept
meticulousness had become a out his name. When I mentioned this eluding him, however.
byword in IRMA. I recall an incident to Prof. Tushaar Shah, who was then
Director of the Institute, he laughed It is said that behind every successful
from when I was working at the
and said, “That is why Dr. Kurien man there is a woman. Inestimable
Director’s office. Draft agenda items
is our Chairman!” The smallest of credit goes to Mrs. Molly Kurien
prior to Board meetings would be
sent to Dr. Kurien who was then mistakes did not escape his sharp who stood behind her husband like
Chairman. A board member from eyes. There would be no pending a solid rock. Dr. Kurien used to say:
the Rural Development Ministry correspondence in Dr. Kurien’s “Integrity, Integrity and Integrity.”
of the Central Government had office. All decisions would be taken That’s the stuff legends are made of.
just been transferred to another immediately and all incoming letters We are all fortunate for having had
government department. He had, answered with immediate effect. Dr. Kurien as our Founder Chairman
as a consequence, ceased to be The Government of India showered whose vision, mission and guidance
a member of the IRMA Board. I him with awards including the made what IRMA is today.
had forgotten to remove his name

By: P S Mohan, EA to Chairman, IRMA; Email- psmohan@irma.ac.in

Contd... from p. 8
IRMA endeavours to prepare you to actualise all your human potentialities - to grow yourself but also contribute to the
development of others, particularly the rural sector which has remained largely neglected and without whose development
India cannot develop much. Rural India remains mired with several serious problems like poverty, illiteracy, unemployment,
inequalities, discriminations and environmental degradations – all these being gigantic in magnitude. Moreover, these
problems are getting further aggravated in recent years due to the negative impact of the forces of globalisation, particularly
on the weaker sections of society who live in large number in rural areas, though the upper and urban middle classes
have benefited from the recent changes. The challenges before the country today are manifold and very critical. IRMA is
focused to contribute to resolve the challenges confronting rural India. But resolving these challenges would require not
only expertise and knowledge, but more importantly conviction, commitment and sincerity.
Having graduated from here and while working for the rural sector, where I wish to see you, I am sure, you will have
enough to meet your material needs. Moreover, rural India would provide you ample space to be innovative and creative in
your activities. You will be able to fully utilise your head - expertise and skills learnt here and elsewhere - and also heart
to promote the cause of the weak and the marginalized. Very difficult challenges may come your way while doing your
work in and for the rural sector. But when both head and heart are together, you will be able to withstand all adversities
and emerge victorious. That has been my experience working for over 50 years for the rural sector. The rewards of even
your every small success would be immense - not mere material but also social and psychological. You will certainly be
able, like many IRMANs who are working in and for the rural sector despite all adversities, to bring a smile on the face
of the common people, particularly the weak and the marginalised. In lieu of that, the love and respect the people would
shower over you, will bring the kind of happiness in your life which even a huge pile of money can never ever buy.
I hope, you all will take the institute to further heights through your studies and subsequent contributions to rural India.
Your happiness will always make me ever happier in life. I am now old, but only in age. My commitment to the cause of
rural India remains unshaken. In fact, in view of the hunger for power and money increasing all around these days, my
resolve has got further affirmed. Like you, like other IRMANs, you are the ambassadors to carry forward the mission of
the Institute. I am confident you will never falter in marching ahead and bring a smile to the lowliest in the land.
I take this opportunity once again to welcome you all to IRMA.
I wish you all the best.

16 Network
Amul Dairy Museum:
The Milky Way to Success
A groundbreaking museum in the heart of the city showcasing
Dr. Kurien’s magnificent successes in the dairy industry is definitely worth a visit.

T he Amul Dairy Cooperative
Museum is a major landmark of
The piece de resistance is the
garage where Dr Kurien spent his
the house has an inspiring display
of the many, many awards won by
Anand city. If one desires to obtain a early days in Anand as a reluctant Dr. Kurien for his yeoman service
sound understanding of the evolution apprentice. This garage, which was to the cause of rural livelihoods and
of the dairy cooperative industry in located near Anand railway station,
poverty alleviation in Gujarat. The
Gujarat spearheaded by Dr Kurien, was literally rebuilt, brick by brick,
Ramon Magsaysay and Padmashri
which has uplifted multitudes of on the Amul Dairy premises. It is
farmers, this is the place to visit. awards deserve special mention.
indeed fascinating, yet frightening,
It is located on the Amul Dairy to think that the legend spent his Dr Kurien’s penchant for perfection
premises. Visitors are greeted by a initial days in such circumstances. can be gauged from the lush green,
lovely fountain and a building made It is perhaps symbolic of the rapid prim and proper lawns surrounding
of red stones. The pathway to the strides made by dairy cooperatives his house.
gallery is adorned with a number of in Gujarat under the able leadership
photographs depicting the gradual One leaves the museum in quite a
of Dr. Kurien, Tribhovandas Patel,
evolution of the dairy cooperative and other stalwarts. Adjacent to the bit of awe, as also with a healthy
industry in Gujarat. Indeed, each garage is the house where Dr. Kurien dose of inspiration regarding the
photograph contains a unique story subsequently lived, a grand structure infinite potential of the human mind,
within it. Also there are photos in white. The entire ground floor of body and soul.
showcasing some historic letters, a
key one being that sent by Sardar
Patel to Amul Dairy bemoaning the
monopoly of Polson Dairy and the
need to address this issue at the
earliest. The Public Relations officer,
Mr. Sundar, further livens it up with
lots of interesting historical anecdotes.
In fact, he has done immensely well
by translating Sardar Patel’s letter in
English. The Dairy Museum also has
an Auditorium equipped with 100
seats, where movies on the history
and evolution of the milk movement
of India are projected. Mr. Sundar
recounted Dr. Kurien’s innumerable
memorable interactions with young The piece de resistance is the garage where Dr Kurien spent his
students here. early days in Anand as a reluctant apprentice.
By: Prof. Anand Venkatesh, Associate Professor, IRMA, Email- anand@irma.ac.in


Down Memory Lane
A formidable figure who was as cutting in his speech as he was witty,
Dr. Kurien was also the milk of human kindness and the epitome of fairness.

T his happened in October 1979.
One afternoon Dr. Kurien called
all the people who had joined IRMA
presentation at the Academic of
Marketing Science Conference, USA
in 1987. I contacted the then Director
at the conference do you think I
would have had the courage to
come and meet you?” I told him the
but working out of NDDB (there being PS Appu for travel support but was truth about how I had got the tickets
no IRMA campus). These included rejected. An old friend (Venu) in and paid for them. That’s when he
Tushaar Shah, VC Sood, Arvind Ahmedabad, who was running a changed his tone and tenor and
Swaminathan, Prof. S Sambrani, travel agency, happened to mention said gently, “You know, these days,
and Soman Nair. Soman Nair, who that he could get me a ticket from so many foreign agencies hook good
had just got the Institute registered
was to hand over the certificate to
VC Sood. In my youthful innocence “There is an imaginary wall of excellence I am building
I asked a question “Sir, how do you around this institution. Keep it up even after my death.”
feel, seeing IRMA getting registered?”
Dr. Kurien shot back “I am not going India to the academicians through funding and, if
to study at IRMA, nor will I teach at anybody from IRMA gets into such a
Conference venue and back at 50
IRMA. Therefore, you guys have to trap, bad name will ultimately come
percent the market rate (around
take it to better heights every year.” to the Institute. That is why I wanted
Rs.7000 at the time). I borrowed
He further said, “Please remember an explanation.” He concluded with:
money from several sources and
that there is an imaginary wall of “In any case, do give a reply to my
decided to go (my first sojourn
excellence I am building around this memo immediately.” I sent the reply
outside India) to present my paper.
institution. Keep it up even after my within one hour. Some of my well-
I informed the Director’s office
death.” There was subdued laughter. meaning colleagues looked happy
about going to the US for a paper
and the others sad.
Another incident comes to mind. This presentation one day prior to my
was in the early 80’s, when we had departure. On my return there was That was Dr. Kurien- a Lion who
a minor conflict regarding who would a one-page letter from Dr. Kurien could roar and be as gentle as a
hoist the flag on Independence (who was officiating as Director at lamb at the same time.
Day and Republic Day at IRMA. A the time) asking why action should
proposal went to Dr. Kurien’s office not be taken against me for going “It would call for deep commitment
requesting him to hoist the flag on abroad. This letter was lying on my
and a willingness to stake all, if one
both days as he was the Chairman table. Some of my colleagues couldn’t
is to succeed. The struggle would
of IRMA. Dr. Kurien redounded with: help making sarcastic comments
be daunting, but when the day is
“What is the name of that fellow or indulging in sadistic laughter on
seeing my woeful condition. (The won, I am sure you would find that
who is the senior most employee it was well worth it. You are setting
of IRMA?” When my name was letter also mentioned that I should
reply within 24 hours of receiving it). out from under the guardianship of
mentioned he said: “Let that fellow
I did not reply to the letter instantly one of the finest victors of such a
hoist the flag on Independence
instead, I sought an appointment struggle, and I am sure you will find
Day and Republic Day.” I had the
privilege of hoisting the flag at IRMA with Dr. Kurien. Walking into his Dr. Kurien’s example a great source
on both these important days till I room the following day I realised of inspiration when the going is
left in 1991. he did not know that I had applied tough.”
for travel support from the Institute
Another Incident and been rejected. I told him, “Sir, – Shri Pranab Mukherjee
(Deputy Chairman, Planning Commission)
My paper on “India’s Rural had I taken money from some
11th Annual Convocation Address, 1992
Consumers” was accepted for foreign sources and participated
By: Dr. V. Mukunda Das, former faculty of IRMA; currently the Director of Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna,
an institution built on the lines of IIMs by the Government of Bihar. E-mail: vmknd.das@gmail.com

18 Network
Decoding the King
A rather sassy observation of the Colossus that was Dr. Kurien, with tongue firmly in cheek!

I t was a Sunday morning. As the flight
doors were closing with the plane
about to head out of Ahmedabad I
how posterity should remember
him- evidence being available in
the immortalisation of the garage
Matthai had a sense of equity and
trust imprinted on his management
style. That put a greater responsibility
got an SMS stating that Dr.Kurien he lived in along with the museum on individuals to deliver because it
was no more. This was wholly atAmul. was a loss of honour not to do so.
unanticipated as I had been in IRMA For somebody like me whose career The Kurien style was suspicion and
the previous day attending a board has been shaped by the early hierarchy. The loyalty for the purpose
meeting.An accidental meeting with gleanings at IRMA, Kurien was that we were to serve had to be worn
Sodhi of GCMMF had given rise to certainly an inspiration. However, on the sleeve and reiterated often.
an exchange of pleasantries, nothing it was always a challenge to see
more. So the nation was bidding The trigger for setting up IRMA came
how this inspiration could be
goodbye to the grand old milkman from the realisationthat talents from
internalised. Each leader comes as
who had a fulfilling 90th birthday institutions like IIMA wereserving
a package replete with positives and
just about recently. The country said negatives. I have to say, though, corporate bodies without a “soul”;
goodbye, even before they could that unless one has the complete IRMA was supposed to be an
confer on him with a Bharat Ratna qualities of a personality like Kurien institution with a difference. Kurien,
something that could have made the it is impossible to pull off his style. we are told, sought the inputs of
nation proud. But then, we can take During our student days at fieldwork Matthai on how to get the place
solace in small mercies in this slip in and during our internships I found going. Matthai was also on the
the fact that even Gandhi missed the many a manager at NDDB and board of IRMA as long as he was
Nobel peace prize. associated institutions behave with alive. However the first significant
I learnt that Kurien was not buried the arrogance that mimicked the difference we saw in IRMA was
customary to religion but cremated grand old man without the backing the way hierarchy was embedded
at the Anand electric crematorium as of talent and ability. We saw many in the organisation, with several
per his wishes. That was KingKurien of these celebrated managers fall by operational matters being escalated
for us, having his way in life and in the wayside as they tried to emulate all the way up to the Chairman. The
death. The reason for the cremation his style sans substance. IIMA Chairman was at best seen five
was cited as his wish to be sent to the Kurien embodied fearlessness, to six times on the campus, largely
other world in a modalitycompatible tenacity of purpose, perseverance, when there was a board meeting.
with the local culture and which also integrity, and ethics.Did he embody IRMA was an institution that had
respected the farmers that he had fairness? I am not sure. Deep down
passion, a holier than thou body
served all his life. I was somewhat he was very practical.Having seen
astounded, to tell the truth, as language; it gave moral authority
so much corruption and inefficiency
he had never adapted himself to but was an institution of permissions
he was possibly suspicious, which
the local culture: living life on his and paper. The hierarchy was
made him a control freak. Having
terms, claiming that he never liked served at two institutions – one that unambiguous in the allotment of
milk and never drank it, wearing had a quintessential Kurien mark all quarters, travel eligibility, and the
non-vegetarianism on his sleeve over it (IRMA)and the other that had sense of autonomy. The conceptof
and refusing to speak Gujarati. Far the personality of his cousin Ravi right and wrong was not always left
stronger was the possibility that he Matthai stamped all over (IIMA) – to the conscience of the individual
did not want a memorial built at an one could spot the fundamental but had to be checked with a higher
inappropriate place amidst a crowd of difference in the approach of these up, that could go all the way up to
tombstoneshaving already ensured two institutional builders. the Chair.

Dr. V. Kurien: A Tribute

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Dr. V. Kurien: A Tribute