NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English (Poorvi) Unit 2: Chapter 6 - Verghese Kurien

Chapter 6, "Verghese Kurien," is an inspiring biographical account in the NCERT Class 8 English textbook (Poorvi) that chronicles the life of the "Milkman of India". This chapter recounts how one man's vision and leadership transformed India from a country with insufficient milk production into the world's largest milk producer. It examines the origins of the "White Revolution" and the establishment of Amul, highlighting the cooperative model's capacity to empower rural farmers.

This chapter serves as a masterclass in social entrepreneurship and nation-building for young readers. Students learn that sharing success with the community enhances its meaning. By studying Kurien’s life, Class 8 students learn about the importance of integrity, professional excellence, and the impact of technology on rural development.

We provide comprehensive NCERT Solutions to help students understand the historical significance of the Operation Flood programme, analyse Kurien’s leadership traits, and master the biographical narrative style. We tailor these solutions to the NCERT syllabus, providing students with clear and concise explanations to enhance their English assessments.

1.0Download NCERT Solutions Class 8 English Chapter 6 - Verghese Kurien: Free PDF

In Class 8 English - Chapter 6, "Verghese Kurien," students learn how a single individual's determination can change the destiny of a nation. Our NCERT Solutions for Class 8 English provide detailed chapter summaries and solved textbook questions. Download the free PDF below.

2.0Class 8 English Chapter 6 - Verghese Kurien: Brief Explanation

The chapter follows Verghese Kurien’s journey from a young engineer who initially wanted to work in a big city to the heart of Anand, Gujarat. Initially reluctant to stay in the small town, Kurien was moved by the plight of local milk farmers who were being exploited by middlemen. Encouraged by Tribhuvandas Patel, Kurien decided to help the farmers organize themselves into a cooperative.

The story highlights the birth of the Kaira District Co-operative Milk Producers' Union, famously known as Amul. One of the most significant technical breakthroughs mentioned is the production of milk powder from buffalo milk—a feat previously thought impossible. Kurien’s leadership eventually led to Operation Flood, the world's largest dairy development program, which replicated the "Anand Pattern" across India.

Important Lessons from This Chapter

• The Power of Cooperation: When individuals work together toward a common goal, they can defeat exploitation and achieve massive success.
• Service Above Self: Kurien gave up a comfortable urban career to dedicate his life to the welfare of Indian farmers.
• Innovation and Science: The chapter shows how scientific advancements (like buffalo milk processing) can solve practical economic problems.
• Integrity and Professionalism: Kurien believed that even a social enterprise must be managed with the highest professional standards to be successful.

3.0NCERT Class 8 English Chapter 6 - Verghese Kurien: Detailed Solutions

Let us discuss

A fact is something that can be proven true or false. A fact is not based on people’s beliefs. An opinion on the other hand is a belief, feeling or judgement, and can vary from one person to another. An opinion cannot be proven.

I Identify which of the following statements are facts and which are opinions. Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.

1. But speaking on the telephone only gives us an immediate but fleeting joy.
2. I started my working life soon after our country became independent.
3. To be quite honest, service to our nation’s farmers was not the career I had

envisioned for myself.

4. I knew I could make a more meaningful contribution by working here in Anand, Gujarat.
5. … values that I saw in my mentor and supporter here in Anand— Tribhuvandas Patel.
6. Life is a privilege, and to waste it would be wrong.
7. I hope that you, too, will discover, as I did, that failure is not about not succeeding.
8. … the magnificent ceremony in which the President awarded me the Padma Vibhushan in 1999?

Answer:

1. Opinion
2. Fact
3. Opinion
4. Opinion
5. Fact
6. Opinion
7. Opinion
8. Fact

Let us think and reflect

I Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. In today’s fast-paced world we have become so addicted to instant communication that we prefer to use a telephone. But speaking on the telephone only gives us an immediate but fleeting joy. Writing is different. Writing—even if it is a letter—not only conveys our present concerns and views of the events taking place around us but it becomes a possession that can be treasured and re-read over the years, with great, abiding pleasure.

1. Fill in the blank given below by selecting the correct option from the brackets.

When the writer refers to a ‘fast-paced world’, he is speaking of a world where

. (communication happens quickly but lacks depth/people have more time to write and reflect)

Answer: communication happens quickly but lacks depth

2. Select the option that applies correctly to both Assertion (A) and Reason (R). (A): Writing letters can be treasured and re-read over the years.

(R): Speaking on the telephone provides long lasting joy.

1. Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
2. Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
3. (A) is true, but (R) is false.
4. Both (A) and (R) are false. Answer: C. (A) is true, but (R) is false.

3. Identify whether the statement given below is true or false.

The writer feels that letter-writing is a class apart from other kinds of writing.

Answer: True

4. Which of the following is the most appropriate title for the given extract?
5. 1. The Rise of Instant Communication
   2. The Fleeting Delight of Phone Calls
   3. The Lasting Joy of Written Words
   4. Living in a Fast-paced World

Answer: C. The Lasting Joy of Written Words

2. Your grandmother too made an important choice. She knew, in those early days, life in Anand could not offer even the simple comforts that we take for granted today. However, she ardently supported my choice to live and work in Anand. That choice of your grandmother to stand by me has given me an everlasting strength, always ensuring that I shouldered my responsibilities with poise.
3. 1. How can we say that the grandmother shared her husband’s dedication to a greater

cause?

Answer: Because she gave up comforts to support her husband’s choice to serve

farmers.

2. Complete the following with the correct option from the two given in brackets.

The fact that the writer (grandfather) praises his wife tells us that he (truly values/quietly accepts) her role in his life.

Answer: truly values

3. Complete the following sentence with the correct option from those given below.

Based on the information in the extract, we can infer that the grandmother had all of the following traits EXCEPT .

1. encouraging
2. understanding
3. comforting
4. thoughtful

Answer: C. comforting

4. Select the phrase that conveys— ‘showed grace under pressure and carried out my duties with dignity and confidence’.

Answer: “shouldered my responsibilities with poise”

II Answer the following questions.

1. What event does Dr. Kurien refer to when he mentions receiving the Padma Vibhushan?

Answer:Dr. Kurien refers to the occasion when he was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in recognition of his significant contributions to the White Revolution and to the development of India’s dairy industry. It symbolizes the national acknowledgment of his dedication to rural upliftment and cooperative development.

2. How did Dr. Kurien’s decision to join the cooperative in Anand affect his life?

Answer: Dr. Kurien’s decision to join the cooperative in Anand transformed his life completely. Though initially reluctant, he chose to stay and support the dairy farmers.

This decision led him to pioneer the cooperative dairy movement, establish Amul, and spearhead the White Revolution. His life became a mission to empower rural India, and he became a national icon for selfless service and innovation in agriculture.

3. Dr. Kurien’s decision to work in Anand reveals his values and sense of duty. Explain.

Answer: Dr. Kurien’s choice to stay in Anand, rather than pursue a more lucrative or comfortable career, reveals his deep sense of responsibility, commitment to social justice, and empathy for farmers. Despite being a government employee posted elsewhere, he decided to serve the rural community, reflecting his selflessness, patriotism, and belief in grassroots development.

4. Why did Dr. Kurien write the letter to his grandson?

Answer: Dr. Kurien wrote the letter to his grandson to share the wisdom of his life experiences and to inspire the younger generation. He wanted to convey important lessons about purpose, service, and the importance of making meaningful choices. The letter is a heartfelt attempt to pass on values such as hard work, integrity, and compassion.

5. According to Dr. Kurien “life is a privilege and it is wrong to waste it”. What is your opinion on this?

Answer: I agree with Dr. Kurien. Life offers each of us a chance to make a difference, however small. It is a gift filled with opportunities to grow, serve, and leave a positive mark. Wasting it on selfish pursuits or indifference not only limits our own potential but also denies society the benefits of our contributions. Living purposefully, like Dr. Kurien did, brings fulfilment and uplift others.

6. What message does Dr. Kurien want to convey about selfless service and its long-term impact on the society?

Answer: Dr. Kurien emphasizes that selfless service has the power to bring about lasting transformation. By dedicating his life to rural India, he demonstrated that helping others can create stronger communities, economic empowerment, and social justice. His work proved that when individuals act with integrity and vision, the impact can resonate for generations.

4.0Key Features of the Story and Solutions

• Historical Context: The solutions explain the socio-economic condition of India post-independence to help students understand why the White Revolution was necessary.
• Chronological Analysis: We provide a timeline of Kurien’s life, helping students track the development of the cooperative movement from Anand to the national stage.
• Technical Vocabulary: Includes explanations for terms like cooperative, middlemen, pasteurization, and Operation Flood.
• Character Mapping: Deep analysis of Verghese Kurien’s traits—his persistence, his blunt honesty, and his deep respect for farmers.
• Grammar & Composition: Exercises focusing on biographical writing, reported speech, and formal letter writing based on the chapter’s themes.
• Critical Thinking: Questions that encourage students to think about how they can contribute to social causes in their own lives.