Guwahati: Bharat Kalita, a prominent dairy farmer and president of the Kamdhenu Dugdha Utpadak Samabay Samiti in Nityananda, Bajali, has been honoured with the Assam Gaurav Award for his instrumental role in advancing the state’s dairy sector.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on March 9, highlighting Kalita’s contributions to the milk revolution in Assam.
The Kamdhenu Dugdha Utpadak Samabay Samiti, affiliated with West Assam Milk Producers’ Co-operative Union Ltd (WAMUL) under the brand Purabi Dairy, has been pivotal in transforming the dairy industry in the region.
Commending Kalita’s efforts, the chief minister described him as “Assam’s Kurien,” drawing a parallel with Verghese Kurien, the father of India’s White Revolution.
The cooperative, which began collecting milk in 2007 with just 70 litres, now supplies between 4,500 and 7,000 litres daily to Purabi Dairy.
Last year, the society won the prestigious National Gopal Ratna Award 2024 for Best Dairy Cooperative Society under the Special North Eastern Region category, presented by the Central government.
Expressing his gratitude for the recognition, Kalita, also a member of the WAMUL management committee, stated: “This award is a testament to the collective effort of Purabi Dairy, guided by NDDB, and the dedication of all dairy farmers. I am optimistic that the milk revolution spearheaded under the Purabi brand will continue to grow and thrive.”
Dr. Meenesh Shah, Chairman of the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and WAMUL Management Committee, congratulated Kalita for his leadership and contributions to Assam’s dairy revolution.
Similarly, Sameer Kumar Parida, Managing Director of WAMUL, lauded Kalita’s transformative impact on the dairy sector, noting that his leadership has empowered farmers and ensured sustainable growth in the industry.
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Satya Brata Bose, Managing Director of NEDFi, also praised Kalita’s unwavering commitment to cooperative dairy farming, describing him as an inspiration for others in the field.
He expressed gratitude to the Assam government for its support of the cooperative dairy movement and for recognizing Kalita’s exceptional contributions.
Purabi Dairy, a trusted household name in Assam, continues to drive the state’s dairy revolution, providing livelihoods to thousands of farmers while fostering sustainability and economic growth.
With leaders like Kalita at the forefront, the cooperative remains committed to enhancing farmers’ incomes and supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of economic empowerment for farmers.
