INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
entrepreneur Dr Verghese Kurien has reacted to the allegation made by Gujarat Minister Dileep Sanghani that her father diverted dairy
cooperative Amul's profit to fund religious conversions in Gujarat
She said her father was an atheist, and despite being born Christian, he chose to be cremated."We should ignore such statements and focus on
work done by Verghese Kurien in building institutions that ushered India's White Revolution," Nirmala Kurien said at an event."My father was
an atheist and (despite being a Christian) was cremated as per his wishes
So was my mother," Ms Kurien added.Dr Kurien's efforts led to the start of the White Revolution that made India the largest producer of milk
Operation Flood that he launched in 1970 has helped dairy farmers to establish control on the resources they create, increasing their income
He was awarded India's second highest civilian award for his contribution to the country
He died on September 9, 2012.Mr Sanghani had said that Tribhuvandas Patel was the founder of Amul, but the country didn't know about him
He alleged farmers' money was donated by Dr Kurien for the conversion of tribals in south Gujarat.Amul chief, Dr RS Sodhi, also rubbished
the allegation, saying Dr Kurien's religion was that of every farmer in the country
He remembered the day when Dr Kurien died
"Me and my colleague went there and asked Nirmala and Mrs Kurien as to where he should be buried
They told us that his wish was that he be cremated
He was cremated at the same place as Tribhuvandas Patel
After three months when Mrs Kurien died in Mumbai, she was also cremated," he said.With inputs from PTI
