Social entrepreneurs are architects who work around to model a social change for the benefit of the disadvantaged community and ultimately the society. They work with dedication, creativity, audacity and fortitude to find solutions to the long existing problems plaguing our society. He countered the ill established system to bring about a change. The world has seen many such innovators making a big difference when it mattered the most. By tackling the most prominent problems, they become true warriors by doing their job and thus benefit thousands and millions.

One such Indian who truly answered this call was Mr. Verghese Kurien, also known as the Father of White Revolution (in India) or the Milkman of India. He is one of the very few people who are not money driven in their cause but work round the clock to bring about a change for the common man.

Mr. Kurien was born in Khozikode, Kerala in 1921. He did his B.E. (mech) from Madras University and later his M.S. from Michigan State University. At the age of 27 he returned from America and joined the Dairy Department of the Government of India. In 1949, he was posted as Dairy Engineer at the Government Research Creamery, a small milk-powder factory, in Anand, Gujarat. During this time, the newly formed cooperative dairy, Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Limited (KDCMPUL), was in a battle of survival with the privately owned Polson Dairy. Driven by the challenge, Mr. Verghese Kurien left his government job and volunteered to help to set up a processing plant. This led to the birth of Amul.

There is a very famous incident where Mr. Kurien was met the then Prime Minister of India Mr. Lal Bhadur Shastri. Mr. Shastri in a conversation asked him: “Why is it that the co-operative society in Gujrat such a success even though states like Punjab have shown better prospects?” and to this he replied “The main reason behind this is that the organization here is owned and run by the farmers. They decide on all the policies.” He too was just an employee working as manager. If he himself was unable to perform his duties well, then he too could be sacked. He then went on to create the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) to replicate the success story of Amul throughout the country. Eventually, 176 AMULS were replicated across the country to the benefit of farmers and consumers. Under Mr. Kurien’s Leadership India became the largest producer of milk in the world and today the milk economy is worth 2,00,000 crore.

Utterly butterly acquired a new meaning with a cute looking girl in polka-dots associated with the cooperative movement that gave birth to a rural revolution. Such individuals like Mr. Varghese Kurien are a sheer example of how small initiatives can end up to being a revolution for the whole nation. The vision, the hard work and the passion of such entrepreneurs is an example of the really amazing force that drives our nation today.

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