Verghese Kurien is called the father of Operation Flood in India.

Operation Flood
Operation Flood was a dairy development program launched in 1970 by the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) with the help of the World Food Programme and the European Economic Community. Its objective was to create a nationwide milk grid linking milk producers throughout India with consumers in over 700 towns and cities. The program aimed to increase milk production, improve the quality of milk, and provide a more stable and remunerative price to milk producers.

Verghese Kurien's Role
Verghese Kurien, an engineer and social entrepreneur, was the architect of Operation Flood. He was the chairman of the NDDB and led the program from its inception till 1998. He was instrumental in creating the three-tier cooperative structure - Village Dairy Cooperative Societies (VDCS), District Milk Unions (DMUs), and State Milk Federations (SMFs) - which formed the backbone of the program.

Under Kurien's leadership, Operation Flood became the world's largest dairy development program. It transformed India from a milk-deficient country to the world's largest milk producer. The program also empowered millions of small and marginal farmers by providing them with a regular source of income.

Conclusion
Verghese Kurien's vision and leadership were instrumental in the success of Operation Flood. He not only transformed the dairy sector in India but also set an example of how cooperative models can be used to empower rural communities.