Tomorrow is National Milk Day, and we’re looking back on the substance’s importance in our rural county.

Customer Rhiannon Southam fills up a litre bottle with fresh milkCustomer Rhiannon Southam fills up a litre bottle with fresh milk (Image: David Hollins)
The day is dedicated to embracing the significance of milk in our lives and acknowledges the contribution of Dr Verghese Kurien, who is known as the Father of the White Revolution in India.

Mike Walsh with partner Neil Harrison and a dairy advertising boardMike Walsh with partner Neil Harrison and a dairy advertising board (Image: David Hollins)
It recognises the nutritional value of milk, including being a rich source of protein, calcium, and vitamins that are important for overall human health.
National Milk Day serves to spread awareness about these benefits while reinforcing the importance of the dairy industry, which contributes approximately 5.3 per cent to India’s GDP.

Farmer Andrew Bell, 21 from Caldbeck, complained about the price he got for his milkFarmer Andrew Bell, 21 from Caldbeck, complained about the price he got for his milk (Image: Newsquest)
The event was inaugurated on November 26, 2014, by the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying in honour of Dr Kurien’s birthday.
His astonishing work, especially through Operation Flood, revolutionised the dairy landscape in India, turning it into the largest global milk producer.

Dairy farmer Robert Craig, a Nuffield Farming scholar, travelled widely to speak about dairy farming and grassland management (Image: Newsquest)
The first National Milk Day marked the centenary of Dr Kurien’s birth in 2021, reflecting the lasting impact of his initiatives.

The Arla milk roadshow at Asda, Kingstown, CarlisleThe Arla milk roadshow at Asda, Kingstown, Carlisle (Image: Newsquest)
The White Revolution, or Operation Flood, launched on January 13, 1970, was a groundbreaking initiative by India’s National Dairy Development Board that transformed India from a milk-deficient country to the world’s largest milk producer, surpassing the US in 1998.

Terry Barlow bottle feeds a baby alpaca whose mother was not producing milkTerry Barlow bottle feeds a baby alpaca whose mother was not producing milk (Image: Newsquest)

The programme aimed to empower farmers, increase milk production, and ensure fair prices for consumers. It established a national milk grid linking producers to over 700 towns, minimising price fluctuations and maximising farmers’ profits.

Time & Star reporter Federica Bedendo bottle feeds the baby alpacaTime & Star reporter Federica Bedendo bottle feeds the baby alpaca (Image: Newsquest)

Dr Kurien played a key role in the revolution’s success, particularly through the Anand Pattern Experiment, which involved creating skimmed milk powder from buffalo milk.

Wreay schoolgirl Dawn Pollock, five, won a mountain bike in a competition to mark the Milk Race in July 1990Wreay schoolgirl Dawn Pollock, five, won a mountain bike in a competition to mark the Milk Race in July 1990 (Image: Newsquest)
While it may not have undergone a revolution, Cumbria has certainly produced its share of milk over the years, with dairy farmer Mike Walsh from Bunkers Hill, Greystoke, even setting up a fresh milk self service machine.