Tribhuvan Sahkari University: A Long Overdue Tribute to India’s Cooperative Pioneer
When the Lok Sabha passed the Bill to establish Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Gujarat’s Anand, it wasn’t just a bureaucratic milestone—it was a long-awaited homage to Tribhuvandas Kishibhai Patel, the quiet revolutionary who architected India’s cooperative movement.
In Moto Chowpato, the neighborhood in Anand where Patel once lived, the announcement sparked emotion and pride. Locals remember him not just as a politician or lawyer, but as a tireless builder of institutions that changed the lives of millions.
“He was more than a leader—he was a mentor, a visionary, and above all, a man of the people,”
— Bipin Patel, Chairman, Anand People’s Cooperative Bank
Gandhian Beginnings, Revolutionary Intent
Born in 1903 to a farming family in Gujarat, Tribhuvandas grew up rooted in agrarian reality. His academic journey at Gujarat Vidyapith, an institution founded by Mahatma Gandhi, ignited in him a lifelong commitment to social justice. He joined the Salt Satyagraha, campaigned against untouchability and alcoholism, and was jailed during the Civil Disobedience Movement in 1930.
Yet, unlike many freedom fighters, his revolution came not through slogans, but structure—through the creation of a milk cooperative that would eventually become a national symbol.
The Milk Rebellion Against Exploitation
In 1946, guided by the wisdom of Morarji Desai and inspired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Tribhuvandas formed the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd (KDCMPUL) as a protest against the exploitation of local farmers by Polson Dairy. His mission was clear: empower farmers by giving them control of production and distribution.
“He went from village to village, convincing even the most hesitant farmer that their milk held value. That their voice mattered,”
— Bipin Patel
Not long after, a young government-appointed mechanical engineer named Dr. Verghese Kurien entered the picture. What followed was a partnership that rewrote India’s dairy history.
The Birth of Amul and the White Revolution
Kurien’s office was located next to the Kaira creamery. Initially assisting the cooperative informally, he impressed Patel, who soon offered him a full-time role. That decision led to the birth of Amul—and India’s White Revolution.
“Tribhuvandas didn’t just hire my father. He handed him a dream and the full freedom to shape it. They trusted each other implicitly.”
— Nirmala Kurien, daughter of Verghese Kurien
Working with dairy technologist H. M. Dalaya, Kurien introduced spray-dried buffalo milk powder—an innovation that revolutionized milk storage and distribution. The plant was the first of its kind in India, and Amul became synonymous with quality, scale, and self-reliance.
The Quiet Founder of India’s Dairy Institutions
While Kurien became the face of the movement, it was Tribhuvandas who built its foundation—establishing the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF), National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), and Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA).
“He created institutions, not empires. And when his work was done, he stepped back with grace.”
— Former Amul executive
When he retired from Amul in the 1970s, over 600,000 farmers each contributed Re 1 to raise Rs 6 lakh in gratitude. Tribhuvandas used the money to launch the Tribhuvandas Foundation, which to this day delivers healthcare to rural communities.
A Man of the People—and Their Trust
Tribhuvandas didn’t lead from a pedestal. He lived among the people, took personal interest in their lives, and built a culture of inclusivity within the cooperative model.
“He never discriminated. Every caste, every religion, every woman or man had a voice. He brought everyone in,”
— Bipin Patel
His wife Maniben, a devout Swaminarayan follower, played an instrumental role in supporting his social initiatives. Together, they also ran the Deenbandhu Printing Press, spreading awareness through pamphlets and community publications.
More Than Partners—A Bond of Brotherhood
In recent parliamentary debates, some opposition leaders argued the university should bear Kurien’s name instead. But those closest to both men reject the notion of rivalry.
“Kaka was my father’s boss, friend, guide, and almost a father figure. He and Maniben performed my kanyadaan. There was never any distance between them—only deep trust,”
— Nirmala Kurien
Indeed, it was Tribhuvandas who convinced Kurien to support his daughter’s choice in marriage—an intimate example of the personal bond they shared beyond professional collaboration.
Recognitions and the Road Ahead
Patel served two terms in the Rajya Sabha from 1967 to 1975, and was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1963 and the Padma Bhushan in 1964. He passed away in 1994, but his institutions—and ideals—live on.
As India prepares to expand its cooperative model into agriculture, fisheries, and textiles, Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Anand could become the nucleus of a new era of people-powered development.
“It was the politician (Tribhuvandas), the manager (Kurien), and the technocrat (Dalaya) who made Amul happen. Without any one of them, it wouldn’t exist,”
— Nirmala Kurien
A Final Word
Tribhuvandas Patel didn’t need the spotlight to change India. He built quietly, led humbly, and trusted deeply. And in doing so, he gave India a model of development rooted not in charity, but in dignity.
With the formation of Tribhuvan Sahkari University, the nation finally returns the honor he never asked for—but always deserved.
