Once upon a time, in the vibrant city of Toronto, a heartfelt gathering took place on the night of September 13, 2024.

Friends and colleagues, united by a shared history, came together to reminisce and celebrate the bonds they had forged over the decades. In one picture, taken with the latest iPhone 15 gifted by my son, we see four familiar faces: RK Nagar, Dr. RP Aneja, Shailendra Kumar, and sitting proudly is Dr. MPG Kurup. Each smile tells a story, a testament to a lifetime of friendship and shared experiences.

But the second picture, a faded snapshot from 1969, tells a different story—a story of beginnings. It was taken in the modest office of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), nestled on the fourth floor of the Amul Dairy Administration Building. At that time, the NDDB campus was still a dream waiting to be built. The camera that captured that moment was a Zeiss Ikon, a precious gift from my father, who had bought it during his first trip abroad in 1958. It was a time when the world felt vast and full of possibilities.

 

Standing L to R Dr. RP Aneja, Shailendra Kumar, and RK Nagar,
sitting proudly is Dr. MPG Kurup.

 

Sitting L to R:- Dr MPG Kurup, Shailendra Palvia, Shailendra Kumar, VG Tulpule

Standing L to R:- Dr RP Aneja , RK Nagar, MN Vyas, JH Mehta, PV Mathew, Martin , George

 

I joined NDDB in May 1968, just a few months before Dr. Aneja and PV Mathew arrived . Nagar and Dr. Kurup followed in 1969. Together, we were part of a pioneering team under the visionary leadership of Dr. V. Kurien, the father of the white revolution in India.

We were the pre-Operation Flood generation, witnessing the evolution of the organization as it embarked on monumental projects—Operation Flood I, II, and III, the Oilseeds and Vegetable Oil Project, the Fruits and Vegetable Project, and the Tree Growers Project, among others.

As we gathered in Toronto, surrounded by our children and the warmth of friendship, we reflected on the journey that brought us here. Life has a way of weaving connections that stand the test of time, and in that moment, we were reminded of the hard truths that life teaches us: that every ending is a new beginning, that memories are treasures, and that the bonds we create can last a lifetime.

In the laughter and stories shared that night, we celebrated not just our past but the enduring spirit of camaraderie that continues to thrive, no matter where life takes us.