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XLRI- Xavier School of Management organized the 2nd “Dr Verghese Kurien Memorial Oration on Sustainable Development” in memory of the Founder of AMUL Dr. Verghese Kurien- the Milkman of India.
The oration was delivered by Bunker Roy, Founder and Director, Barefoot College, Tilonia, Ajmer. The event began with the welcome address by Prof. Madhukar Shukla, Chairperson of XLRI’s Fr. Arrupe Center for Ecology & Sustainability and convener of the oration. “We decided to institute this oration to create a platform to listen to and learn from thought-leaders, social entrepreneurs, development sector professionals and policy makers who have made significant contribution to the idea of an empowered, prosperous and sustainable society.
The oration is to commemorate the memory of Dr. Verghese Kurien and needless to say there is no better model of sustainable development both in terms of his life and legacy than Dr. Kurien”, Prof. Shukla said.
Delivering the oration on the topic “The 21st Century Gandhian Model to Sustainability”, Bunker Roy shared his inspiration and experiences to the students and presented his unique field of work – The Barefoot College – a college that has adopted the Gandhian ideas into its lifestyle and work ethics, holding it true and relevant universally even in the 21st Century and how it had lead millions of village people across the world towards a life of dignity and sustainable development.
Quoting Alvin Toffler, while sharing his experiences to work among the rural people, he said, “The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn”.
In his address, Fr. E Abraham, S. J. Director of XLRI said, “Dr. Kurien’s remarkable life and achievements are an embodiment of his faith in the ability of the common man to exercise control over his destiny. 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.”
The event was also graced by Meagan Carahan Fallone, head of global strategy and development at Barefoot College, besides Fr. E Abraham, S. J. Director of XLRI and Dr. Pranabesh Ray, Dean (Academics), XLRI.
