National Milk Day 2023: History, significance and theme

Earlier, in 1970, the NDDB embarked on Operation Flood, a national development project to establish a milk grid countrywide. Dr Kurien, who was chairman of the NDDB at the time, injected management skills into the cooperative sector, with a strong resolve. White Revolution is one of the largest programmes, called Operation Flood, which made India one of the largest milk and its derivative providers on a global scale.

Operation Flood under Dr Kurien aimed at both increasing milk production for domestic consumption and improving the economic status of rural areas. Thus, India was able to fight off the malpractices prevalent among milk traders and merchants, hence placing the country ahead as one of the producers of milk and milk products.

With the production of milk on an unprecedented scale, Operation Flood positioned India’s dairy industry as one of the largest self-sustaining sectors, contributing 4.5% to the GDP of India. Dr Kurien's influence does not end with building the classic milk brand, Amul, regarded as the gold standard in milk production.

Therefore, on National Milk Day, the country commemorates Dr Kurien’s hard work, informing the public about the benefits of consumption of milk. The dairy expert wanted to build a self-reliant country through dairy development and his vision remains echoed through the nation’s dairy space.

The theme for National Milk Day is flexible and is a part of the broader concept of stressing the general importance of consuming milk. This is the case unlike other observances as this day does not follow any theme but it is used to honour the visionary and raise awareness that milk is nutritious.

Moreover, the day goes beyond the events organised as the nation discusses the importance of milk in our diets, promoting its intake and also recognises its role in promoting economic growth and good nutrition. Simply put, National Milk Day is an homage to a determined visionary and the determination and prosperity of the Indian dairy industry.