Its time to take the Oath – My Resolutions!

Verghese Kurien, Milkman of India, was called a “bloody fool” by a noted dairyman and director of dairy research, Professor William Riddet of New Zealand when he visited Anand. This was mainly because Kurien was trying to produce milk-powder out of buffalo milk at a time when New Zealand was the primary exporter of milk powder to India and experts were convinced of the view that it could not be produced out of buffalo milk.

Twenty four hours before the inauguration of the Amul factory at Anand on the 31st of October, 1956, the experiment was successful and milk powder was produced for the first time using buffalo’s milk. Pandit Nehru, inaugurated the factory, and told Kurien just before leaving, that he was glad that India had people like him who can get done things that cannot be done. Today, India produces an estimated 1.65 lack tonnes of milk powder annually, much more than what New Zealand produces.


Mr. Rajinder Johar of Delhi was paralyzed below the neck by the shots of three gun men who had broken into his house. He was thrown into a world of negative thoughts and depression for a long time till he decided to fight with life. He thought that people who were well off, had others to take care of them, however, there is nobody to take care of the disabled poor.

He started the Apna Rozgar scheme, for providing self dependence to the physically challenged. His idea was that of providing economic help along with an understanding of managing the business. By rough estimates, there are already around 325 people in Delhi and its nearby suburbs, who have benefited directly from his scheme. It includes Jatinder Kumar, a victim of gunshot in Punjab terrorism, who runs a kirana store; Ashok Kumar of Dabri, a Polio victim, who runs an STD Booth; Mohini Devi of Sultanpuri, a paralysis patient, who owns a small grocery store; among others.

Many of such known as well as not-so-known acts of heroism will show how these great people resolved to fight for their ambition. It tells about how they decided on their target and worked with single minded determination to ensure that they achieve it. It also forces me to think of all the Resolutions which I have made to myself each year and not always kept the promises I made to myself.

We are all on the verge of charting a new course in our lives with FLAME. There would certainly be lots of promises being made to parents, friends, well-wishers and also to one’s own self. It could be a big promise that could change the ways of the world or just a small thought of leading a life of discipline. It could be a desire to learn and also to use the knowledge for shaping a career or it could be a journey where one would want to find a destination for his life.

Let us all look at the dream which was seen by the founders of FLAME and how well have they managed to keep up to their promises. Had they failed, we would not be packing our bags to join them on this mission.

Its time, we did some serious introspection and took our pledges. Its time, we noted them down and shared them with our mentors to seek their help in achieving them and also abstaining from getting deviated.

Do share with us your feelings and stories on Resolutions which you had made and achieved/failed to achieve. There would be several resolutions close to your heart, which others would have made to make sure that you arrive to this stage of your career. Send in your messages to flamepune@gmail.com and we will help you share your thoughts with others.