Gopal Ratna Awards Presented to Commemorate 'National Milk Day' on Dr. Verghese Kurien's Centenary 

On 26^th November (Friday), "Gopal Ratna Awards” in different categories were presented to individuals and organizations as part of the "National Milk Day" celebrations to honor the birth centennial of "Milkman of India" and dairy cooperatives pioneer Dr. Verghese Kurien.

National Milk Day - 26^th November, 2014

Since 2014, November 26 has been observed as 'National Milk Day,' commemorating the birthday of Dr. Kurien, widely regarded as the father of India's white revolution. Few people are aware that Kurien also founded 30 farmer-run institutions.

Union Animal Husbandry & Dairying Minister Parshottam Rupala stated that the "Gopal Ratna Awards” will create benchmarks and assist in the implementation of best practices and innovation "Dr. Kurien was a firm advocate of the 'vocal for local' philosophy. Farmers have gained confidence and self-belief as a result of Amul's cooperative approach."

"Making Dr. Verghese Kurien's dream a reality and seeing it through would be the most meaningful tribute to the great man's dedication and sacrifices. At a time when global milk supply is dropping and India's milk output is expanding, India is in the ideal position to do so. India has the potential to become the world's largest milk producer "he stated.

Parshottam Rupala Appreciated NDDB For Organizing National Milk Day

Parshottam Rupala praised the National Dairy Development Board for holding a National Milk Day at Anand to honor Dr. Kurien's birth centennial. According to a release from the NDDB, the event was jointly organized by the Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying under the Union Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, the NDDB, and other institutions

Such as the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF Ltd), Kaira Milk Union (Amul Dairy), NCDFI Ltd, Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA), Mother Dairy Fruit & Vegetable Pvt Ltd,

“Gopal Ratna Awards” Presented to Milk Producer Company’s

Earlier, the Minister presented the 'Gopal Ratna Awards' to the winners of the 'Best Dairy Farmer', 'Best Artificial Insemination Technician,' and 'Best Dairy Cooperative Society (DCS)'/'Milk Producer Company'/'Dairy Farmer Producer Organization' in the country.

Minister Launched IVF Labs

He also launched the IVF Labs in Dhamrod, Gujarat, and Hessergatta, Karnataka, as well as the Start-up Grand Challenge 2.0, after flagging off 'Milkobikes,' motorcycles with milking machinery for boosting self-employment (built jointly by NDDB and IDMC Ltd).

Web Portal, Urban Kit Organic Manure & Biography were launched 

On the occasion, the NDDB launched a web portal for the breed multiplication plan and urban kit organic manure, as well as a biography titled "Utterly Butterly Milkman" written by Nirmala Kurien, Dr. Kurien's daughter. During the ceremony, a remake of the popular 1990s TV commercial 'Doodh Doodh Piyo Glass Full' was shown, as well as a tribute film to Dr. Kurien.

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan and Dr. L Murugan, Union Ministers of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, as well as officials from the Ministry and the NDDB, spoke at the event, according to the release. Arun Maira, Chairman of HelpAge International, delivered the Dr. Kurien Memorial Lecture, which was organized by the IRMA, among other programs/events to commemorate the centennial.