Being the head of the National Dairy Development Board from 1965 to 1998 and the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation from 1973 to 2006, he is popularly considered to be the ‘milk man of India’; “I do not drink milk as I don't like it," was a paradoxical statement made by this white revolutionist.

Honors and Awards

Dr. Kurien has received various awards including the second highest civilian award in India - Padma Vibhushan, World Food Prize, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shree, Ramon Magsaysay Award, Krushi Ratna Award, Lokmanya Tilak award etc for his outstanding achievements in the field of diary and milk production throughout the country.

Deep Condolences

The nation expressed grief in the sad demise of Dr. Verghese Kurien, The President of India, Vice President, Prime Minister and others expressed their deep condolences.

Hamid Ansari, the Vice President of India said, "He engineered the white revolution in India and made India the largest milk producer of the world. He is recognized as the man behind the success of the Amul brand.”

Dr. Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister said, "Contribution to the welfare of the farmer and agricultural production and development of the country is immeasurable. Kurien was an icon of India's cooperative movement and the dairy industry, his greatest contribution was to give a position of pre-eminence to the farmer and his or her interests rather than those of middlemen,"