Short and Long Answer Questions: Verghese Kurien — I Too Had A Dream | English Poorvi Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

Short Answer Questions

Q1. Why did Kurien feel writing letters was more valuable than speaking on the telephone?
Ans: Kurien felt that while speaking on the phone gives immediate joy, it is temporary and soon forgotten. Writing, on the other hand, lasts longer as it can be preserved, treasured, and re-read over time. A letter not only conveys one’s current thoughts but also becomes a record of experiences for the future. He believed written words carry deeper meaning than spoken words.

Q2. What options did Kurien have in his career, and why did he reject them?
Ans: Kurien could have chosen to work as a metallurgist, join the Indian Army, or go abroad as an NRI. Each option promised wealth, fame, or power. However, he rejected these because he felt he could make a more meaningful contribution to the country by working with dairy farmers in Anand. His humility and sense of responsibility guided his choice.

Q3. How did Kurien’s wife support him in his mission?
Ans: Life in Anand during those days lacked comforts and conveniences. Yet, Kurien’s wife stood by him wholeheartedly. She supported his decision to dedicate his life to farmers’ welfare. Her faith and encouragement gave him inner strength and ensured he carried out his responsibilities with calmness and poise. Kurien credited much of his success to her unwavering support.

Q4. What values did Kurien uphold throughout his life and career?
Ans: Kurien strongly believed in values like honesty, service, humility, and, above all, integrity. He explained that personal integrity means being honest with oneself, which naturally leads to being honest with others. These values were passed on to him by his family and reinforced by his mentor, Tribhuvandas Patel. Kurien believed his success was built on adhering to these principles.

Q5. What lesson did Kurien want Siddharth and future generations to learn?
Ans: Kurien wanted Siddharth to understand that life is a privilege and should not be wasted. True failure lies not in lack of success but in not putting in one’s best effort. He advised young people to use their talents to serve the common good, whether by helping friends, volunteering, or contributing to society. He also stressed cherishing what one has instead of comparing with others.

Verghese Kurien

Long Answer Questions 

Q1. Describe the life choices of Verghese Kurien and how they shaped his contribution to the nation.
Ans: Verghese Kurien had many career options before him—metallurgy, the army, or becoming an NRI abroad. Each would have given him status, power, or money. But he chose to work in Anand with a small cooperative of dairy farmers. This decision completely transformed his life and the future of Indian agriculture. With the support of his wife and guidance from Tribhuvandas Patel, he dedicated himself to serving farmers. His leadership played a crucial role in the White Revolution, which made India the largest milk producer in the world. His choice shows how selfless decisions can lead to great national progress.

Q2. What message does Kurien’s letter to Siddharth convey about life and success?
Ans: Kurien’s letter to his grandson is full of wisdom and life lessons. He explains that life is a privilege and should be used for contributing to the common good. He stresses the value of integrity, honesty, and service. He reminds Siddharth that true failure lies in not giving one’s best effort. He also advises against comparing oneself with others because appearances of happiness are often misleading. By recalling the Padma Vibhushan medal and telling Siddharth to earn his own rewards, he highlights that true success comes from one’s own hard work and service to humanity. The letter inspires the younger generation to live meaningfully and work for society.

Q3. Describe how Verghese Kurien’s determination and vision transformed India’s dairy industry. What challenges did he face, and how did he overcome them? 
Ans: Verghese Kurien’s determination and vision played a key role in making India the largest producer of milk in the world. When he began his journey, India faced acute milk shortages, and farmers lived in poverty. Kurien believed that the solution lay in organizing farmers into cooperatives where they could control production and profits. He faced several challenges, such as lack of resources, resistance from middlemen, and initial skepticism from farmers. However, with his hard work, scientific knowledge, and organizational skills, he introduced modern dairy techniques and eliminated exploitative practices. Through persistence, he built Amul into a global model, showing how determination and vision can overcome even the toughest obstacles.

Q4. “I Too Had A Dream” reflects Kurien’s belief in the power of collective effort. Discuss how the concept of cooperation and the Amul model helped empower farmers and change rural India.
Ans: Kurien strongly believed that lasting change could only come through collective effort. The Amul model was based on the idea that farmers should pool their resources and manage dairies together as cooperatives. This eliminated middlemen who exploited farmers and ensured that profits went directly to the producers. Farmers gained confidence, financial independence, and respect in society. The cooperative system also provided them with better prices, modern equipment, veterinary services, and training. This not only improved the quality and quantity of milk production but also uplifted entire rural communities. By organizing farmers into a powerful collective, Kurien transformed villages and empowered people to believe in their own strength.

Q5. Verghese Kurien is often called the “Father of the White Revolution.” Do you think this title is justified? Support your answer with examples from the chapter.
Ans: Yes, the title “Father of the White Revolution” is fully justified for Verghese Kurien. His efforts made India self-sufficient in milk production and turned the country from a milk-deficient nation into the largest milk producer in the world. He not only introduced modern dairy practices but also created a unique cooperative model that empowered millions of farmers. The Amul brand became a household name and a symbol of quality and trust. His vision not only improved nutrition in the country but also gave farmers steady income and dignity. No one else contributed to India’s dairy development on such a massive scale, which makes him deserving of this title.