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world-class institutions that became shin-
ing examples of excellence (like Institute
of Rural Management Anand and National
Dairy Development Board), which enabled
ordinary people to achieve extraordinary
results.”
“He strongly believed that by placing
technology and professional management
in the hands of farmers, the living standard
of millions of rural poor could be im-
proved. His creation of community-owned
co-operatives empowered millions of rural
families, mostly landless and small farm-
ers in India.”
Remembering Dr. Kurien, Fr. Abraham
said, “XLRI’s relationship with Dr. Kurien
goes back to over 24 years. I personally
had an enriching association with Dr.
Kurien and was greatly inspired with his
visionary foresight and single-minded de-
termination in executing his vision for the
dairy sector and more importantly in help-
ing raise the living standards of millions of
rural milk producers across thousands of
villages in India.”
“We decided to institute this Annual
Oration to commemorate Dr. Kurien’s
legacy — because his life and work
exemplifies the model for a responsible
management leader, combining business
skills with the larger good of the society
and nation-building,” Fr. Abraham further
added.
The event was graced by TV Naren-
dran, Chairman, XLRI Board of Governors
and Global CEO and MD, Tata Steel, Dr.
Ashis K. Pani, Dean (Academics), XLRI
and Dr. Madhukar Shukla, Chairperson,
FACES and faculty in OB area, XLRI.
Over the years Dr. Ashok Khosla, founder of De-
velopment Alternatives, has worked tirelessly to
demonstrate the theory and practice of sustain-
able development through environment friendly
and commercially viable technologies. He is re-
sponsible for policy, strategic planning and the
overall supervision of Development Alternatives.
He has been working towards the development
and dissemination of effective environmental
management systems and the design and advo-
cacy of appropriate policies and institutions both
in India and on international arena.
He founded Development Alternatives in 1982
as a major step towards fulfilling his dream for
sustainable development. A Ph.D in Experimental
Physics from Harvard University, Dr. Khosla has
chaired and managed eminent positions on vari-
ous boards and trusts. His work and expertise has
been recognised globally with accolades. In 2002
he was awarded the United Nations Sasakawa
Environment Prize. This was followed by Schwab
Foundation Award for Outstanding Social Entre-
preneur in 2004; Officer of the Order of the Brit-
ish Empire (OBE) in 2008 and Duke of Edinburgh
Conservation Medal at Buckingham Palace (2011)
in recognition of his outstanding, life-long service
to the environment.
dairy cooperative AMUL (Anand Milk
Union Limited) that continues to
empower millions of farmers. He
orchestrated the largest dairy de-
velopment programme in the world,
christened as Operation Flood. He
was the chairman of the Gujarat Co-
operative Milk Marketing Federation
Ltd (GCMMF) and had started several
other institutions to replicate the
Anand pattern nationwide.
| cover story |
Knowing
Dr. Ashok Khosla
november 2017
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magis
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