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The Lok Sabha recently approved a bill to establish the Tribhuvan Sahkari University in Anand, Gujarat, named in honour of TribhuvandasKishibhai Patel, a seminal figure in India’s cooperative movement and a founding architect behind Amul.

Who was Tribhuvandas Patel?

• Born in 1903 in a farming family in Gujarat, Tribhuvandas Patel was an Indian freedom fighter, lawyer, and social reformer.
• A dedicated follower of Mahatma Gandhi, he actively participated in the civil disobedience movement, anti-untouchability campaigns, and rural development initiatives.
• He was first arrested during the Salt Satyagraha in 1930 at Nasik and later in Visapur, where he resolved to commit his life to public service.
• Between 1948 and 1983, he served as the President of Harijan Sevak Sangh, an organisation founded by Gandhi to uplift marginalized communities.

Role in India's Cooperative Movement

• In 1946, with encouragement from Morarji Desai and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Tribhuvandas spearheaded the formation of the Kaira District Cooperative Milk Producers’ Union Ltd. (KDCMPUL) to counter exploitative practices by private dairies such as Polson Dairy.
• His strategy began with organizing village-level milk cooperatives, where membership was inclusive, cutting across caste, class, and religion.
• Recognizing the need for professional management, he brought in Dr. VergheseKurien, who later led India’s White Revolution.

Institution Building and Legacy

Tribhuvandas Patel played a pivotal role in laying the foundations of several key institutions that transformed India’s dairy sector:

• Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF)
• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
• Institute of Rural Management, Anand (IRMA)

His lifelong efforts significantly empowered rural milk producers and contributed to India’s emergence as a dairy powerhouse.

Recognitions and Awards

• Ramon Magsaysay Award (1963) for Community Leadership
• Padma Bhushan (1964) from the Government of India for his services to society