Latest news with #WhiteRevolution
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Comfed charts global route as Bihar's dairy network expands
Patna: When Verghese Kurien , the father of India's White Revolution, was brought in by the Bihar govt in 1981 to revive its struggling dairy sector, few could have foreseen the transformation that would follow. What began as a floundering state initiative has grown into a thriving cooperative empire with an annual turnover of Rs 1,500 crore and profits touching Rs 40 crore. Kurien took charge of the Bihar State Dairy Corporation, originally formed in 1977-78, after its early efforts fell short of expectations. Under his stewardship, the Bihar State Milk Co-operative Federation Ltd, better known as Comfed , was established in 1983. Today, Comfed's dairy products are sold under the now-iconic Sudha brand . "We are in the business of selling dairy products with dignity and responsibility," said Comfed managing director Raj Kumar. "Whatever profit we make from sales is redistributed among our farmers through various schemes. We are also planning to introduce an accidental medical scheme worth Rs 5 lakh for each farmer," he added. Highlighting Comfed's commitment to quality, Kumar said, "It is our responsibility to offer only the best to the market. For instance, we never reuse frying oil more than twice for making our gulab jamuns. Private players would not bother with such practices," he said. Sudha currently has the capacity to collect 40 lakh litres of milk daily. "We collect around 30 lakh litres every day of which 18 lakh litres are sold as liquid milk. The rest is processed into a wide range of dairy products," Kumar said. Buoyed by rising demand, Comfed is now setting its sights on international markets. "We have already begun exporting premium ghee, gulab jamun and makhana to the US through the Bihta dry port and Mundra port in Gujarat," said N Vijaya Lakshmi, principal secretary of the animal husbandry and fisheries resources department and chairperson of Comfed. "We are also eyeing the UAE market," she added. According to Lakshmi, Comfed plans to raise its daily milk collection to 45 lakh litres. "Competition is everywhere. Amul has started packaging in the state and Mother Dairy is also present with its full range. But their presence in Bihar is not alarming yet. We have the largest network with over 30,000 milk societies and that number is steadily growing," she said. On expansion beyond Bihar, Lakshmi said Comfed has set up plants in West Bengal and the NCR. "They are not running at full capacity yet, but weare closely monitoring the situation. The Delhi-NCR market is intensely competitive with 30-40 players. That said, we are performing well in the northeast. Our plant in Assam is doing exceptionally. In Jharkhand too, we are giving tough competition to other brands with our facilities in Bokaro, Ranchi and Jamshedpur. " Asked about complaints of odour in some milk packets, she said, "Milk is a perishable item. If the cold chain breaks even for a day, spoilage can occur. We regularly remind our distributors and retailers to maintain the cold chain without compromise." Comfed is also working to bring greater transparency and efficiency to its operations. "We have started registering all 30,000 of our milk societies – 100 registrations every day. We are building a comprehensive database to monitor daily collections in real time. Whether they rise or fall, we will know at the click of a button," Singh said. Reflecting on Amul's early lead in the market, Kumar said, "Amul gained traction because they have been directly transferring benefits to their farmers. We are now moving in that direction too. Earlier, Comfed disbursed funds to society secretaries, who would then distribute cash to farmers, leaving room for manipulation. Now, we are switching to direct transfers."
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Indian Cooperative Sector gets a new lease with the 'Tribhuvan' Sahkari University
In a move that marks a watershed moment for India's co-operative movement, the 'Tribhuvan' Sahkari University Act, 2025, has been passed by both Houses of Parliament and received Presidential assent. The Act officially transforms the renowned Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) into the 'Tribhuvan' Sahkari University – the country's first University dedicated exclusively to co-operative education, training and research. Named in honour of Padma Bhushan Shri Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, a freedom fighter and pioneering co-operative leader, the University carries forward a legacy deeply entwined with India's rural resurgence and the nation's freedom struggle. Shri Tribhuvandas Patel was inspired by Sardar Shri Vallabhbhai Patel, the chief architect of national integration. While Sardar Patel envisioned empowered villages as the bedrock of a strong India, Tribhuvandas took that dream forward on the ground. In 1946, under his leadership, the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union was founded - a modest effort that would, with the arrival of a young technocrat named Dr. Verghese Kurien, grow into Amul, India's most iconic dairy brand and a global symbol of co-operative success. Their partnership laid the foundation for the White Revolution, making India the world's largest milk producer and establishing a self-reliant, farmer-owned dairy ecosystem that transformed millions of rural lives. The establishment of the 'Tribhuvan' Sahkari University builds directly on this extraordinary legacy. Located in Anand, Gujarat - the very cradle of India's co-operative renaissance - the University will function as an institution of national importance, tasked with elevating co-operative education to global standards. The University will continue to house IRMA as a Centre of Excellence for Rural Management, preserving its identity and autonomy while expanding its mandate under the new Act. The transformation of IRMA into the 'Tribhuvan' Sahkari University represents a historical continuum - from the village-level co-operatives envisioned by Sardar Patel, built by Tribhuvandas Patel, and professionalised under the leadership of Dr. Kurien - to a national institution poised to lead the future of co-operative education and innovation. Guided by the vision of Sahkar Se Samriddhi (Prosperity through Co-operation), the University will offer advanced degree programmes, distance learning, short-term certifications and e-learning certifications tailored for the co-operative sector. It will develop Centres of Excellence in key areas like dairy, fisheries, finance, housing and agri-business, and will also facilitate policy research, consultancy and grassroots innovation. It will act as the apex body for standardising co-operative education and training. The University will include a network of Councils and Boards, ensuring dynamic governance and academic rigour. Importantly, the university will also encourage international collaborations and admit foreign students, providing a platform for global exchange in co-operative thought and practice. Over its 45-year history, IRMA has played a critical role in nurturing leaders for rural development and co-operative sectors. The new University now invites a wider community - youth, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners - to contribute to and benefit from this evolving mission. This is not just the founding of a University; it is the institutionalisation of a movement. The 'Tribhuvan' Sahkari University embodies the ideals of inclusive growth, people-led development, and nation-building through co-operation. It stands as a tribute to the unifying philosophy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the visionary leadership of Tribhuvandas Patel, and the transformative impact of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the three architects of India's rural and co-operative empowerment. Note to readers: This article is part of HT's paid consumer connect initiative and is independently created by the brand. HT assumes no editorial responsibility for the content, including its accuracy, completeness, or any errors or omissions. Readers are advised to verify all information independently. Want to get your story featured as above? click here!
Business Standard
07-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Indian Cooperative Sector gets a new lease with the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University
PNN New Delhi [India], May 7: In a move that marks a watershed moment for India's co-operative movement, the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University Act, 2025, has been passed by both Houses of Parliament and received Presidential assent. The Act officially transforms the renowned Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA) into the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University - the country's first University dedicated exclusively to co-operative education, training and research. Named in honour of Padma Bhushan Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, a freedom fighter and pioneering co-operative leader, the University carries forward a legacy deeply entwined with India's rural resurgence and the nation's freedom struggle. Tribhuvandas Patel was inspired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the chief architect of national integration. While Sardar Patel envisioned empowered villages as the bedrock of a strong India, Tribhuvandas took that dream forward on the ground. In 1946, under his leadership, the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union was founded - a modest effort that would, with the arrival of a young technocrat named Dr. Verghese Kurien, grow into Amul, India's most iconic dairy brand and a global symbol of co-operative success. Their partnership laid the foundation for the White Revolution, making India the world's largest milk producer and establishing a self-reliant, farmer-owned dairy ecosystem that transformed millions of rural lives. The establishment of the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University builds directly on this extraordinary legacy. Located in Anand, Gujarat - the very cradle of India's co-operative renaissance - the University will function as an institution of national importance, tasked with elevating co-operative education to global standards. The University will continue to house IRMA as a Centre of Excellence for Rural Management, preserving its identity and autonomy while expanding its mandate under the new Act. The transformation of IRMA into the "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University represents a historical continuum - from the village-level co-operatives envisioned by Sardar Patel, built by Tribhuvandas Patel, and professionalised under the leadership of Dr. Kurien - to a national institution poised to lead the future of co-operative education and innovation. Guided by the vision of Sahkar Se Samriddhi (Prosperity through Co-operation), the University will offer advanced degree programmes, distance learning, short-term certifications and e-learning certifications tailored for the co-operative sector. It will develop Centres of Excellence in key areas like dairy, fisheries, finance, housing and agri-business, and will also facilitate policy research, consultancy and grassroots innovation. It will act as the apex body for standardising co-operative education and training. The University will include a network of Councils and Boards, ensuring dynamic governance and academic rigour. Importantly, the university will also encourage international collaborations and admit foreign students, providing a platform for global exchange in co-operative thought and practice. Over its 45-year history, IRMA has played a critical role in nurturing leaders for rural development and the co-operative sectors. The new University now invites a wider community - youth, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners - to contribute to and benefit from this evolving mission. This is not just the founding of a University; it is the institutionalisation of a movement. The "Tribhuvan" Sahkari University embodies the ideals of inclusive growth, people-led development, and nation-building through co-operation. It stands as a tribute to the unifying philosophy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the visionary leadership of Tribhuvandas Patel, and the transformative impact of Dr. Verghese Kurien, the three architects of India's rural and co-operative empowerment. Dr. Umakant Dash, Director, IRMA
The Hindu
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Shyam Benegal to be honoured at silver jubilee edition of New York Indian Film Festival
The legacy of legendary Indian filmmaker Shyam Benegal will be honoured at the New York Indian Film Festival, which will celebrate its silver jubilee this year with a repertoire of diverse cinematic works featuring celebrated artists such as Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, James Ivory and Rasika Dugal. The festival, the longest-running and prestigious US festival dedicated to Indian independent cinema, will celebrate its milestone 25th edition here from June 20–22, spotlighting 'bold new voices, storied auteurs, and urgent narratives' from the Indian subcontinent and its global diaspora. "What began as a grassroots platform is now a global stage for Indian independent cinema,' Festival Director Aseem Chhabra said in a press statement Monday. "This year's lineup is one of our most powerful and wide-ranging to date. From deeply personal documentaries to regional narratives that rarely reach global audiences, the 25th edition of NYIFF reflects the evolving language of Indian cinema.' The festival will pay tribute to Benegal, a "titan of Indian parallel cinema', who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 90. NYIFF will screen a 4K restoration of Manthan, Benegal's landmark 1976 film about India's White Revolution, restored by the Film Heritage Foundation. The film premiered at the Cannes Classics in 2024. It will also honour the work of Oscar-winning film director James Ivory, with An Arrested Moment, a short documentary from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, directed by Dev Benegal. The film explores Ivory's 'enduring fascination with Indian art and culture.' The 2025 NYIFF lineup includes 22 feature-length films—18 narratives and four documentaries—spanning more than a dozen languages and regions. The festival program also includes 21 short narrative and documentary films. From Tamil and Odia to Assamese, Hindi, and Malayalam, the selection of the works to be showcased at the festival 'reflects both the diversity and the evolving language of Indian cinema,' it said. Chhabra said Siddiqui, who has won two NYIFF best actor trophies, will be attending this year's festival. Executive Director of the Indo-American Arts Council, which presents NYIFF, Suman Gollamudi said the festival has long been a space where India's cinematic legacy meets its most daring futures. 'At 25, we are not just celebrating the past—we are investing in what's next.' The 2025 festival opens with the East Coast premiere of the Manoj Bajpayee, Priyanka Bose and Deepak Dobriyal starrer The Fable, directed by Raam Reddy. With a debut at the 2024 Berlinale, the film "merges surrealism and psychological tension against the Himalayan backdrop'. The film, whose ensemble includes Tillotama Shome in a cameo, recently took home Best Film at the Leeds International Film Festival. The festival's center piece is the noir thriller Kennedy, starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone and directed by Anurag Kashyap. The closing night film, Little Thomas, is a coming-of-age dramedy set in 1990s Goa, marking the directorial debut of Kaushal Oza. The film stars Dugal of Mirzapur fame and Gulshan Devaiah of Hunterrr" and Ulajh fame, who will be in attendance along with the crew. ALSO READ:Shyam Benegal: The maestro of Indian parallel cinema Siddiqui's I'm Not An Actor, a film that 'blurs fiction and reality in a searing critique of fame and identity', Marathi documentary Marching in the Dark on widows of suicide-struck farmers; Renaissance Man about parliamentarian Vivek Tankha and Turtle Walker which follows a conservationist's mission to protect India's sea turtles are among the line-up of films that will be showcased at the festival. The festival's nonfiction programming includes A Fly on the Wall, a film by Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar documenting physician-assisted suicide in Switzerland. The New York Indian Film Festival is presented annually by the Indo-American Arts Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Indian arts and culture in the United States. Since its inception in 2001, NYIFF has showcased the best in Indian cinema, celebrating the diversity and creativity of filmmakers from India and around the world.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Silver jubilee edition of NY Indian Film Festival to pay tribute to Shyam Benegal
The legacy of legendary Indian filmmaker will be honoured at the New York Indian Film Festival here, which will celebrate its silver jubilee this year with a repertoire of diverse cinematic works featuring celebrated artists such as Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, James Ivory and Rasika Dugal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The festival, the longest-running and prestigious US festival dedicated to Indian independent cinema , will celebrate its milestone 25th edition here from June 20-22, spotlighting "bold new voices, storied auteurs, and urgent narratives" from the Indian subcontinent and its global diaspora. "What began as a grassroots platform is now a global stage for Indian independent cinema," Festival Director Aseem Chhabra said in a press statement Monday. "This year's lineup is one of our most powerful and wide-ranging to date. From deeply personal documentaries to regional narratives that rarely reach global audiences, the 25th edition of NYIFF reflects the evolving language of Indian cinema." The festival will pay tribute to Benegal, a "titan of Indian parallel cinema", who passed away in December 2024 at the age of 90. NYIFF will screen a 4K restoration of "Manthan", Benegal's landmark 1976 film about India's White Revolution, restored by the Film Heritage Foundation. The film premiered at the Cannes Classics in 2024. It will also honour the work of Oscar-winning film director James Ivory, with "An Arrested Moment", a short documentary from The Metropolitan Museum of Art, directed by Dev Benegal. The film explores Ivory's "enduring fascination with Indian art and culture." The 2025 NYIFF lineup includes 22 feature-length films-18 narratives and four documentaries-spanning more than a dozen languages and regions. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The festival program also includes 21 short narrative and documentary films. From Tamil and Odia to Assamese, Hindi, and Malayalam, the selection of the works to be showcased at the festival "reflects both the diversity and the evolving language of Indian cinema," it said. Chhabra said Siddiqui, who has won two NYIFF best actor trophies, will be attending this year's festival. Executive Director of the Indo-American Arts Council, which presents NYIFF, Suman Gollamudi said the festival has long been a space where India's cinematic legacy meets its most daring futures. "At 25, we are not just celebrating the past-we are investing in what's next." The 2025 festival opens with the East Coast premiere of the Manoj Bajpayee, Priyanka Bose and Deepak Dobriyal starrer "The Fable", directed by Raam Reddy. With a debut at the 2024 Berlinale, the film "merges surrealism and psychological tension against the Himalayan backdrop". The film, whose ensemble includes Tillotama Shome in a cameo, recently took home Best Film at the Leeds International Film Festival. The festival's centerpiece is the noir thriller "Kennedy", starring Rahul Bhat and Sunny Leone and directed by Anurag Kashyap. The closing night film, "Little Thomas", is a coming-of-age dramedy set in 1990s Goa, marking the directorial debut of Kaushal Oza. The film stars Dugal of "Mirzapur" fame and Gulshan Devaiah of "Hunterrr" and "Ulajh" fame, who will be in attendance along with the crew. Siddiqui's "I'm Not An Actor", a film that "blurs fiction and reality in a searing critique of fame and identity", Marathi documentary "Marching in the Dark" on widows of suicide-struck farmers; "Renaissance Man" about parliamentarian Vivek Tankha and "Turtle Walker" which follows a conservationist's mission to protect India's sea turtles are among the line-up of films that will be showcased at the festival. The festival's nonfiction programming includes "A Fly on the Wall", a film by Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar documenting physician-assisted suicide in Switzerland. The New York Indian Film Festival is presented annually by the Indo-American Arts Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Indian arts and culture in the United States. Since its inception in 2001, NYIFF has showcased the best in Indian cinema, celebrating the diversity and creativity of filmmakers from India and around the world.
