India celebrates 28 November, the birthday of Dr Verghese Kurien, as the National Milk Day. The dairy cooperative movement inspired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel led to the formation of Amul in 1946 which was replicated across the country, resulting in India emerging as the largest producer of milk in the world.
Amul organized four Clean Fuel Rallies in celebration of National Milk Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the “Milkman of India.” These rallies, aimed at raising awareness about the benefits of the Circular Economy and Bio CNG, highlighted how the use of clean fuel improve farmers’ livelihoods while also contributing to a cleaner environment. Powered by Maruti Suzuki and Bajaj Auto, the Amul Clean Fuel Rally began in Himmatnagar, Kolkata, Pune, and Jammu. Covering more than 5,000 kilometers combined, the rally concluded in Delhi, where it was part of the National Milk Day celebrations organized by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, on November 26th.
More than 77 riders from Amul joined the Clean Fuel Rally initiative to spread awareness about Circular Economy and sustainability. During their journey, they engaged with various State Cooperatives, institutions, and farmers on the way to celebrate the legacy of dairy cooperatives and spread awareness about the principles of circular economy and the importance of sustainability.
The rally culminated at Delhi to celebrate National Milk Day, where rallies which started from various parts of the country, together embarked a final leg from Dhaula Kuan to Manekshaw Enclave, Delhi. The rally which started from Dhaula Kuan was flagged off by Smt. Alka Upadhyaya Secretary (DAHD), in the esteemed presence of Shri Shamalbhai B Patel, Chairman, GCMMF (Amul), Shri. Valamji Humbal, Vice Chairman, GCMMF (Amul), Ms. Nirmala Kurien, Daughter of Dr. Verghese Kurien, Shri. Jayen Mehta, Managing Director, GCMMF (Amul) and Board of Directors and officials from DAHD.
The rallies proceeded to Manekshaw Enclave, where they were received and felicitated by Prof. SP Baghel, MoS in the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and other officials of Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India.
Prof S.P. Baghel, MOS, Animal Husbandry & Dairying speaking on the occasion remembered Dr Kurien’s contribution to the cooperative sector and white revolution. He also recalled the role played by Shri Tribhuvandas Patel in the foundation Amul.
Smt. Alka Upadhyay also mentioned that they are working to drive efforts for improving the milk productivity and the various steps being taken by DAHD for the same.
At the National Milk Day Celebrations held at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi, the Chief Guest Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), Hon’ble Minister of Animal Husbandry & Dairying, Government of India, highlighted the critical role of cooperatives in ensuring fair pricing for farmers. He stated, “Cooperatives play a vital role in ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their produce. It is crucial that we work towards organizing the dairy industry, which will eliminate intermediaries and middlemen, enabling farmers to directly benefit from the cooperative structure.
It is also a matter of pride that India is hosting the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)’s global conference from November 25-30 the first time in its 130-year history at New Delhi. Shri. Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister, inaugurated the conference and launched the UN International Year of Cooperatives 2025 at the event which was attended by representatives of over 100 countries at Bharat Mandapam.
At the event, Shri Narendra Modi highlighted the co-operative movement’s large scale in India, where one in five people is a member of a cooperative. He also mentioned “With dairy cooperatives, the independence movement took a new direction and Amul, a dairy cooperative is now one of the world’s top brands.” Shri Amit Shah, Hon Minister of Home & Cooperation and Mr Shombi Sharp, UN representative in India also lauded Amul as the flag bearer of cooperative movement in India
In celebration of the National Milk Day and to showcase the pivotal role of cooperatives in India’s dairy industry, a special screening of Amul’s national award-winning film Manthan was also organized at ICA’s Global Conference for all the delegates on 26th November at Bharat Mandapam.