On the night of August 24, 2024, in Toronto, I was winding down, ready to slip into the comforting embrace of sleep, when a WhatsApp message from Nakshatri, my former colleague at the National Dairy Development Board, jolted me awake. Nakshatri had been part of the Oilseeds and Vegetable Oil wing, a team I had the privilege of leading, alongside managing the office of our visionary founder, Dr. V. Kurien.
As I opened his message, a wave of excitement washed over me. He had shared a series of pictures, including one that caught my eye ( pasted at the top ). His message read:
Good morning!
Regards,Nakshatri
This isn’t your typical flower bouquet. Instead, it’s a vibrant assortment of organic leafy vegetables—Palak, Coriander, Curry leaves, and more! These were presented to all the dignitaries during the 15th Annual General Meeting of the Sahaja Samruddha Organic Farmer Producer Company. I was honored to be there as a Board Advisor and received one of these unique bouquets myself.
What a fantastic initiative! Instead of conventional flower arrangements, they chose to gift edible, organically produced leafy vegetables that are friendly to our environment.
Reading Nakshatri’s message filled me with elation. It truly made my day!
Dr. Kurien’s mantra is alive and thriving. Bharat Badal Raha Hai!
Having pioneered the successful model of producer-owned dairy cooperatives with Amul and replicating it across India, Dr. Kurien’s clarion call still echoes: “Create organizations owned and commanded by producers of agricultural commodities, employing professionals that are sensitive to the needs of owner producers and work towards fulfilling their aspirations.”
Dr Kurien’s vision resonates deeply with farmers in New India, and new organizations striving to fulfill his dream are emerging in “Badalta Bharat.” The Sahaja Samruddha Organic Farmer Producer Company, with its 850 farmer members, boasted an impressive turnover of Rs 20 Crore last year. It stands out as a beacon of success, selling only certified organic produce.
Even Prime Minister Modi highlighted this initiative in his Mann Ki Baat.
What can I say? Thank you, Nakshatri! Keep up the fantastic work!
“Bharat Badal Raha Hai,” I replied.
His response? “Yes, sir! Change for good.”
I know some of you, particularly my fellow NDDB alumni, might spark a debate over the “ideal” organization—a cooperative versus a farmer-owned company. But as an eighty-year-old, I firmly believe it’s the essence that matters, not the form.
Earlier that day, I had the pleasure of watching an insightful video address by Dr. Hardayal Singh, a former colleague and the esteemed ex-Dean at the School of Inspired Leadership in Gurgaon. I still have ties with SOIL. Hardayal ji shared his thoughts on the role of the press and journalism in today’s world, discussing the dramatic shifts happening from social, economic, and technological perspectives.
Hardayal ji remarked, “Those who write stories, columns, and reports are, in a sense, the writers of the first drafts of history.” It’s crucial that these drafts reflect events as they occurred, free from bias.
Yet, in today’s era of social media, the narrative often takes precedence over the truth. What is the truth, anyway? It varies depending on the lens through which we view it.
That’s why I sometimes feel it’s essential to “force” oneself to embrace positivity amidst the prevailing talk of doom and gloom!
Nakshatri’s message lifted my spirits, though I can’t predict how long this feeling will linger.
Regardless, I hope you find meaning in what I’ve just shared.
