Dara Nusserwanji Khurody, Civil Servant
Civil Servant

Dara Nusserwanji Khurody

Born 2 January 1906 · Maharashtra — Died 1 January 1983

Developed the Amul dairy cooperative model that revolutionized India's milk production.

Dara Nusserwanji Khurody was an Indian entrepreneur known for his contributions to the dairy industry of India. He worked in various private and government organization at the start of his career and also held government official positions later on. He was the Milk Commissioner of Bombay from 1946 to 1952. His name was considered "synonymous with dairying" in India in the 1950s.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Khurody's 1941 report not only proposed toned milk but also envisioned the Aarey Milk Colony, a now-iconic dairy hub in Mumbai.

The Story

1
In 1925, Dara Khurody earned a gold medal by topping the All India Dairy Diploma Examination, marking his early mastery in dairy science at the Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry, Bangalore.
2
🌍 Between 1935 and 1946, as a marketing officer, he helped formalize the Agmark grading system while drafting a 1941 report that planted the idea for Mumbai's Aarey Milk Colony and introduced the concept of toned milk.
3🥛 On 13 February 1946, Khurody launched toned milk in Bombay, a revolutionary product mixing buffalo milk with water and skimmed milk powder to reduce fat content to 3% and halve the price, making milk affordable for 40,000 school children.
4During his tenure as Milk Commissioner of Bombay (1946–1952), he navigated World War II's impact on ghee demand and oversaw milk distribution strategies critical to urban populations.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Bhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1941, Khurody authored a report proposing toned milk and the Aarey Milk Colony, concepts that would reshape Mumbai's dairy industry decades later.

📸 Through the Years

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🗓️ A Life in Moments

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Birth
Birth in Mhow, British India
Dara Nusserwanji Khurody was born in Mhow, present-day Madhya Pradesh, into a family with government service background.
1906
📚
Education
Admission to Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry
Khurody enrolled in Bangalore's Imperial Institute of Animal Husbandry to study dairy science.
1923
🏅
Award
Gold Medal for Dairy Diploma
He received a gold medal for securing first place in the All India Dairy Diploma Examination.
1925
⚡
Career
Joined Agricultural Marketing Department
Khurody became a marketing officer focusing on dairy and animal husbandry products, contributing to Agmark standards.
1935
📖
Publication
Published seminal milk marketing report
He authored a report that included the concept of toned milk and proposed the Aarey Milk Colony near Mumbai.
1941
⚡
Career
Introduction of toned milk in Bombay
Khurody implemented toned milk production, reducing fat and cost to expand milk access in Bombay.
1946
⚡
Career
Appointed Milk Commissioner of Bombay
He served as Milk Commissioner, overseeing dairy supply and policies until 1952.
1946
🏅
Award
Received Ramon Magsaysay Award
Awarded jointly with Verghese Kurien and Tribhuvandas Patel for contributions to dairy development.
1963
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
The Government of India honored Khurody with the Padma Bhushan for his work in business and dairy.
1964
🕊️
Death
Death of Dara Khurody
Khurody passed away, leaving a legacy in India's dairy industry.
1983
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 04
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Toned milk, introduced in 1946 by Khurody, reduced buffalo milk fat to 3%, comparable to cow's milk, but at half the price, uniquely balancing affordability and nutrition.

02 / 04
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

The Bombay Government initially purchased toned milk to supply 40,000 school children, showing early public sector adoption of Khurody's dairy innovation.

03 / 04
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Khurody trained in Denmark and the Netherlands during his early career at Tata Iron & Steel, reflecting international dairy practices' influence on his work.

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🌱 What changed because of them

Dara Khurody's introduction of toned milk democratized milk consumption by making it affordable without compromising nutrition, directly influencing government procurement policies for school nutrition programs. His work with the Agmark system set standards still used in India's dairy product grading, and his vision for the Aarey Milk Colony provided a sustainable model for urban dairy farming that persists today.

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