XLRI- Xavier School of Management on Saturday organised the 5th Dr Verghese Kurien Memorial Oration on Sustainable Development. Organised under the aegis of Fr Arrupe Center for Ecology and Sustainability (FACES), XLRI, in memory of the Founder of AMUL Dr. Verghese Kurien, otherwise known as “the Milkman of India”, the oration aims to provide a platform to listen to and learn from thought leaders, social entrepreneurs, development sector professionals and policy makers who have made a significant contribution to the idea of an empowered, prosperous and sustainable society.

This year, Dr Jean Dreze, eminent development activist & economist delivered the oration on the topic “Economic Growth and Social Development”.

 The event was also graced by Fr E Abraham, SJ Director of XLRI and Dr Ashis K. Pani, Dean (Academics), XLRI and Dr Madhukar Shukla, Chairperson, Fr Arrupe Center for Ecology & Sustainability, XLRI.

In his speech, Dr. Jean Dreze spoke about various aspects of sustainable development and how society can play role in it.

In his address, Fr E Abraham, SJ Director of XLRI said, “The sunshine that Dr.  Kurien brought in the lives of millions in the country will always be remembered with gratitude. We must acknowledge the immense contribution of Dr Verghese Kurien for his far-sighted vision in helping kick-start a co-operative milk movement that transformed India into the largest milk producing country in the entire world and also shaping a forward integration business model by helping create AMUL as the country’s largest single food brand. In the process, we have secured self-sufficiency for India in the dairy sector propelling our nation towards a position of eminence on the global dairy map. Dr. Kurien’s creation of community-owned co-operatives empowered millions of rural families, most of whom were landless and small farmers, 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 added.

Remembering Dr. Kurien, Fr. Abraham further 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 determination in executing his vision for the dairy sector and more importantly in helping raise the living standards of millions of rural milk producers across thousands of villages in India.