I Too Had a Dream

Dr Verghese Kurien

Karthik SrinivasanPannaga 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

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 !

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

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.

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

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…

Unhealthy Politics?

Compelled to resign on 24th 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

How did he learn leadership?

Courage in failure Knowledge of varied domains Meticulous & Hard Working

Lessons from Dr. Kurien

Aspect Character

Attributes Open Minded

Humility

Resolve

Capabilities Learning & Knowledge

Business Acumen

Behavior Networking Skills

Honesty

Style Communication

Thinking Big

Never Say Die Spirit

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

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'

Thank you