I was most touched when my good friend Rashmi Uday Singh sent me this uplifting image she'd clicked when she went to pray at the historic Mount Mary's church in Bandra. She said she had lit a candle for me and my family.... and I got all teary!
It has been that kind of a day.... sentimental and a little weepy. It is Danesh's birthday today.He is one of my oldest friends, and I love him dearly.He lives in Paris, but I still feel we are back attending Summer School in St.Xavier's College, every time we meet. The last time was a few months ago. We were both mourning the death of Gautam Rajadhyaksha. It was raining buckets on the Champs Elysee, as we sipped hot chocolate at Fouquet's, held hands and shed silent tears. I said a prayer for Danesh during my Ganesh puja. And I thought about the death of Dr. Verghese Kurien - an extraordinary man, a true visionary. I remembered vividly the time I had interviewed him in Anand more than 30 years ago. I had called him India's Doodhwala.... and the title had amused him greatly. It was such a special era.... you have to watch Shyam Benegal's 'Manthan' that was inspired by the Milk Revolution started by Dr. Kurien. At 90. Dr.Kurien slipped away knowing he had accomplished a singular mission. What a life! What a man!
12 comments:
Yes. Kurien was an extraordinary man
Wow! I'm going to watch that film definitely! Indeed what a man & what a vision. Amazing how some people make a difference in society & nation with their killer mind/vision! Mind & money can achieve a lot if done correctly! Superb!!!
The yummy ~Amul The Taste Of India~ has feed us happily!!!!
Dear Mrs. De,
Thank you, for writing about Dr. Verghese Kurien, and for calling him India's doodhwala -- that is the best compliment I have come across in years. It is amazing how one person with the right drive can change a particular aspect of the country we love. I am so happy that he got to see the impact of his work.
A few years ago, when Dr. Norman Borlaug passed away, I remember reading an obituary that referred to him as "the man who fed the starving kids". No less can be said about Dr. Kurien.
I hope we have a few more people like Dr. Kurien in our country. And that they have the fortitude to climb out of the tin full of crabs we all seem to have become.
Peace!
@desi babu
Well said.....There could not be a better tribute to a person who changed so many lives.
Wish we had a few in parliament...also in the Country...
I saw the pic of mount mary and said an instant prayer(strong believer in prayers) ...imp prayer i wish it happens!!!Thanks for sharing the pic.
You are right Mr Kurien an extraordinary Man, may his soul rest in peace.
Back in the 1960s a comment made by the English: (The quality of sewer water in London is better than the quality of the milk in India) ignited him to start the GCMMF ( that created Amul brand of products), became the founder chairman of NDDB and later, led the Operation Flood project ( which eventually was the largest dairy development project in the world) that helped India to be the largest milk producer in the world. Dr. Kurien was the father of the White Revolution. But for the dedication and vision of Dr. Kurien and the leaders of the post-independence era, Amul could not have happened and the entire country would have missed "The Taste of India" concept. Amul is a buzzword today for global quality consciousness and world class products and has remained the same for more than six decades.
Though the country and the international community rewarded him with many recognitions like Padma Vibhushan, Rama Magsaysay Award, World Food Prize, etc., Dr Kurien still felt that his visionary efforts in achieving self-sufficiency of Milk and Dairy products was to be achieved alongwith a global mindset. He also ensured suitable remuneration for the Milk-producing farmers, establishment of a co-operative movement in the country, and ensuring a global quality for its dairy products were the most important factors in making the white revolution possible.
Long ago I saw the Hindi film Manthan. It truly depicted the role Kurien played in milk cooperatives. I wish his experiment had moved on to other sectors too. A true hero. A visionary. A man with a purpose. I first saw him in Anand in 1989 when I was in Bharuch. He was a simple man. He did his MS in engineering and a research scholar from one of the top universities in the US. He thought of returning back for the upliftment of the poor in India despite the fact that he would be foregoing very high positions in US firms. Dr. Kurien whose life is a lesson for all of us to emulate his approach in our own fields and help people around us. That will be the greatest tribute to him, not the words of praise alone. Thank you Dr. Kurien. May his soul rest in peace.
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The Mount Mary Church is believed to have miraculous healing powers and is visited by people from all the communities and religions throughout the year.
http://www.amazingmaharashtra.com/2012/07/mount-mary-church-bandra.html
Beautiful Post
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Thank you for this amazing picture of Mount Mary church. Its a famous church in Mumbai and a visit to church makes you calm . Check Mount Mary Church timings for detailed information.
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