XLRI Jamshedpur, organized the first-ever ‘Dr Verghese Kurien Memorial Oration on Sustainable Development” to the Founder of AMUL Dr. Verghese Kurien, popularly known as “the Milkman of India” on Sep 8, 2014. Ms. Nirmala Kurien, the daughter of Dr. Verghese Kurien was present at the event as the guest of honour.
The oration was delivered byDr. P Sainath, Eminent Journalist & Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Journalism, Literature and Creative Communication Arts. Dr. Sainath, known as a 'Rural Reporter', has extensively worked in rural areas and closely studied government policies.
The event began with the welcome address by Prof. Madhukar Shukla, Chairperson of XLRI’s Fr. Arrupe Center for Ecology & Sustainability and convener of the oration. “We decided to institute this oration to create a platform to listen to and learn from thought-leaders, social entrepreneurs, development sector professionals and policy makers who have made significant contribution to the idea of a empowered, prosperous and sustainable society.”
Dr. P. Sainath in his lecture on the topic “Unequal is Unsustainable”, highlighted the growing crisis in rural areas because of growing inequality and excessive usage of resources. By drawing the audience attention to the 100 days of rural livelihood, he said, “According to survey figures on an average on any given 100 day 4,600 Indian farmers will commit suicide, 46-70,000 will attempt suicide, 200,000 will give up farming and 1000s will leave country side for search of job in the urban areas”. The three ‘giant crisis’ that the country is facing today are -- water, agriculture and health.
Dr. Sainath criticised the wastage of water and expressed concern on the growing health expenses that have forced many to avoid medical assistance. In his view country needs to include a moral dimension to its growth model, sustainable growth is impossible in a scenario where resources are being exhausted. He emphasized that Dr. Verghese Kurein’s real work was towards organising of funds so that there is growth and development for everybody and he proposed ‘growth through justice’ as the ideal approach through which development for all could be achieved.
In his address, Fr. E Abraham, S. J. Director of XLRI said, “XLRI’s relation with Dr. Verghese Kurien goes back to last over 22 years. Dr. Verghese Kurien, as we all know was a renowned Indian social entrepreneur and is best known as the ‘Father of the White Revolution’ for his billion litre idea or operation flood – the world’s biggest agricultural development programme. He was instrumental in taking India from a milk deficient nation to the largest milk producer in the world surpassing The United States of America in 1998 accounting for about 17% of the global output of milk.”
XLRI Jamshedpur is a premier, private management school in the country founded in 1949 by Fr Quinn Enright, S.J. in the Steel city of Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Over the last few decades, XLRI has striven to contribute to the professional growth and management of innumerable institutions that serve the public, especially organized industry, labour, service agencies engaged in rural development, education, health and other public systems.
Related Links
XLRI: Go get grab your Dream B School; XAT 2015 is round the corner
XAT 2015 to assess multidimensional capability: XLRI Admission Chair
XLRI hosts Sports & Cultural Festival 'VALHALLA'; Donates Rs 2 Lakhs to AUF
Finalists for IMC Awards 2014 announced: XLRI, SPJain, IIM Shillong amongst Top 12
XLRI commences session 2014: Focus on world-class skills says Fr. E. Abraham, S.J.
Stay tuned to MBAUniverse.com for more updates on XLRI
