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Verghese Kurien — I Too Had A Dream

NCERT Class 8 · English Based on NCERT Class 8 English textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter is a letter written by Dr. Verghese Kurien, the 'Milkman of India,' to his grandson Siddharth. It explains why he chose to serve the nation's dairy farmers instead of pursuing a more glamorous career. The one big idea is that true success comes from using your talents for the common good, living with integrity, and finding joy in contributing to society rather than in personal fame or wealth.
Key Concepts (16)
addicted
Dependent on something; unable to stop doing or using something.
e.g. Many people are so addicted to checking their mobile phones that they forget to talk to the person sitting next to them.
fleeting
Momentary or short-lived; lasting for a very short time.
e.g. The happiness of eating a chocolate is fleeting because it disappears as soon as the chocolate is finished.
abiding pleasure
A feeling of happiness that continues for a long time; lasting joy.
e.g. Reading a good storybook gives abiding pleasure because you can remember and enjoy the story for years.
jottings
Brief notes or short pieces of writing.
e.g. My grandmother keeps a small diary for her daily jottings about what she cooked and who visited her.
foremost
Leading; most important or best.
e.g. India is among the foremost nations in the world in milk production, thanks to Dr. Kurien.
humility
Modesty; the quality of being humble and not thinking you are better than others.
e.g. Even after winning the first prize, Rohan showed humility by thanking his teacher and friends.
pursue
To follow or chase; to try to achieve something over time.
e.g. Ravi decided to pursue a career in teaching because he loves helping children learn.
envisioned
Imagined or expected something to happen in a particular way.
e.g. When I was young, I envisioned myself becoming a doctor, but later I chose engineering.
ardently
In a way that shows strong feelings; with great enthusiasm or passion.
e.g. The fans ardently supported their cricket team even when they were losing the match.
poise
In a calm and confident manner; graceful composure.
e.g. The school captain handled the difficult situation with poise and did not panic.
adhered
Continued to support or follow; stuck to a rule, value, or plan.
e.g. My grandfather always adhered to the value of honesty, even when it was difficult.
integrity
Honest and strong moral principles; being truthful to yourself and others.
e.g. A person with integrity will return a lost wallet even if no one is watching.
correlation
A connection between two or more things; a relationship where one thing affects another.
e.g. There is no correlation between how much money a person has and how happy they are.
musings
Thoughts on something one has been thinking about carefully for a long time.
e.g. The old man shared his musings about life with his grandchildren during the evening walk.
common good
The benefit or well-being of the community or society as a whole, not just one person.
e.g. Planting trees in the neighbourhood is an act for the common good because everyone gets cleaner air.
failure
According to Dr. Kurien, failure is not about not succeeding; it is about not putting in your best effort and not contributing to the common good.
e.g. If you study hard but still get a low mark, that is not failure — failure is not studying at all.
How It Works
Dr. Kurien's Decision-Making Process for Choosing a Career of Service
  1. Step 1: He could have chosen a career in metallurgy and become a chief executive of a large company.
  2. Step 2: He could have opted for a commission in the Indian Army and retired as a general.
  3. Step 3: He could have left for the US and become a highly successful NRI.
  4. Step 4: Instead, he chose to work for a small cooperative of dairy farmers in Anand, Gujarat, because he knew he could make a more meaningful contribution there.
💡 Students often forget that Dr. Kurien had multiple attractive options and deliberately chose the less glamorous one for the sake of service.
How to Live a Life of Value According to Dr. Kurien
  1. Step 1: Accept responsibility for yourself and use your talents to the best of your ability.
  2. Step 2: Contribute to the common good in whatever form it presents itself — helping a friend, volunteering for a teacher, or serving the community.
  3. Step 3: Adhere to values like integrity, which means being honest to yourself first, which makes it easy to be honest with others.
  4. Step 4: Do not compare yourself with others or chase images of perfection; instead, cherish what you have.
  5. Step 5: Understand that failure is not about not succeeding; it is about not putting in your best effort.
💡 Students often think 'common good' means only big national service, but Dr. Kurien says it can be small everyday acts like helping a friend.
The Difference Between Fact and Opinion (as taught in the chapter)
  1. Step 1: A fact is something that can be proven true or false. It is not based on people's beliefs.
  2. Step 2: An opinion is a belief, feeling, or judgement that can vary from one person to another. An opinion cannot be proven.
  3. Step 3: Example of a fact from the text: 'I started my working life soon after our country became independent.' This can be verified.
  4. Step 4: Example of an opinion from the text: 'Speaking on the telephone only gives us an immediate but fleeting joy.' This is a personal belief.
💡 Students often confuse opinions with facts when the opinion is stated strongly. Just because someone says something with confidence does not make it a fact.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing 'Integrity' with 'Honesty' Only
✗ Integrity means being honest with others.
→ Dr. Kurien specifically says integrity is 'being honest to yourself' first. Honesty with others follows naturally from that. Students miss the 'self' part.
✓ Integrity is being honest to yourself. If you are always honest to yourself, it does not take much effort to be honest with others.
⚠ Misunderstanding 'Failure'
✗ Failure means not succeeding or losing.
→ Dr. Kurien redefines failure. He says failure is not about not succeeding; it is about not putting in your best effort and not contributing to the common good.
✓ According to Dr. Kurien, failure is not about not succeeding. Rather, it is about not putting in your best effort and not contributing, however modestly, to the common good.
⚠ Thinking Dr. Kurien Always Wanted to Serve Farmers
✗ Dr. Kurien always dreamed of working with dairy farmers.
→ The text clearly states: 'service to our nation’s farmers was not the career I had envisioned for myself.' He was swept into it by a series of events.
✓ Dr. Kurien did not initially envision a career serving farmers. He could have chosen metallurgy, the army, or a life abroad, but he chose to work in Anand because he felt he could make a more meaningful contribution there.
⚠ Confusing 'Fleeting Joy' with 'Abiding Pleasure'
✗ Both telephone calls and letters give the same kind of happiness.
→ Dr. Kurien contrasts them. Telephone calls give 'immediate but fleeting joy' (short-lived), while letters give 'great, abiding pleasure' (long-lasting).
✓ Speaking on the telephone gives fleeting joy that is short-lived, whereas writing a letter gives abiding pleasure that can be treasured and re-read over the years.
⚠ Thinking the Grandmother's Choice Was Unimportant
✗ The grandmother's choice was not important; Dr. Kurien did all the work.
→ Dr. Kurien explicitly says his wife's choice to support him gave him 'everlasting strength' and helped him shoulder his responsibilities with poise.
✓ The grandmother's choice to stand by Dr. Kurien and support his decision to live in Anand was crucial. It gave him everlasting strength and enabled him to work with poise.
Compare & Contrast
Verifiability
Fact
Opinion
A fact can be proven true or false and is not based on beliefs. An opinion is a belief, feeling, or judgement that varies from person to person and cannot be proven.
Duration and depth of happiness
Fleeting Joy (Telephone)
Abiding Pleasure (Letter Writing)
Fleeting joy is immediate and short-lived, like a phone call. Abiding pleasure is long-lasting and can be re-experienced over years, like re-reading a letter.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each) on vocabulary or fact/opinion, 1 Very Short Answer (2 marks) on a key concept like integrity or failure, 1 Short Answer (3 marks) on Dr. Kurien's career choice or values, 1 Long Answer (5 marks) on the message of the letter or the importance of selfless service.
Most asked: Dr. Kurien's definition of failure and success · The importance of integrity and being honest to yourself · The contrast between fleeting joy (telephone) and abiding pleasure (letter writing) · The concept of 'common good' and contributing to society · Fact vs. Opinion distinction
Don't skip: Long answer question on the message Dr. Kurien wants to convey about selfless service and its long-term impact on society (5 marks).; Short answer question on Dr. Kurien's definition of failure and how it differs from the common understanding (3 marks).
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. Dr. Verghese Kurien wrote this letter to his grandson Siddharth in 2005.
  2. The letter contrasts fleeting joy of telephone calls with the abiding pleasure of letter writing.
  3. Dr. Kurien chose to work for a dairy cooperative in Anand instead of becoming a company executive, army general, or NRI.
  4. Integrity means being honest to yourself first, which makes it easy to be honest with others.
  5. According to Dr. Kurien, failure is not about not succeeding; it is about not putting in your best effort.
  6. The common good means contributing to society in any form, even small acts like helping a friend.
  7. Dr. Kurien's wife supported his choice to live in Anand, giving him everlasting strength.
  8. Dr. Kurien received the Padma Vibhushan in 1999 from the President of India.
  9. He told his grandson that the medal was also his, but he must earn his own reward.
  10. A fact can be proven true or false; an opinion is a belief that cannot be proven.
  11. Life is a privilege, and wasting it by not contributing to the common good is wrong.
  12. True rewards come from working tirelessly for the larger good of the country and humanity.
  13. Dr. Kurien's mentor and supporter in Anand was Tribhuvandas Patel.
  14. There is little correlation between the circumstances of people's lives and how happy they are.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. Why does Verghese Kurien prefer writing letters over telephone calls?

  • A. Because letters are cheaper and faster than telephone calls
  • B. Because letters give fleeting joy while calls give abiding pleasure
  • C. Because letters convey present concerns and become treasures that give abiding pleasure when re-read ✓
  • D. Because writing is easier than speaking on the telephone

Answer: C — Kurien explicitly states that writing conveys present concerns and views and becomes a possession treasured and re-read with great abiding pleasure, unlike the immediate but fleeting joy of telephone calls.

Q2. What does Kurien mean when he says 'choosing to lead one kind of life means putting aside the desire to pursue other options'?

  • A. All life choices are wrong and will cause regret
  • B. Every life choice involves sacrificing other possible paths and requires commitment ✓
  • C. People should never make important decisions about their careers
  • D. Money and success are more important than personal fulfillment

Answer: B — This statement reflects that selecting one life path necessarily means not pursuing other careers, as Kurien exemplifies by choosing farming over metallurgy, the army, or becoming an NRI.

Q3. Which of the following is NOT a reason given by Kurien for his decision to work with dairy farmers?

  • A. He realized he could make a more meaningful contribution in Anand
  • B. A series of events swept him along and presented him with this choice
  • C. He wanted to become wealthy and build a large company ✓
  • D. He believed it was a nobler task after India's independence

Answer: C — Kurien explicitly states he could have pursued wealth through metallurgy or as an NRI, but chose farming instead; building wealth was never his motivation for serving farmers.

Q4. What transformation took place in Kurien fifty years before 2005, and what triggered it?

  • A. He decided to join the Indian Army; his father's influence
  • B. He agreed to work for a small dairy cooperative; series of events that presented him a choice ✓
  • C. He moved to the United States; family pressure to succeed
  • D. He became a metallurgist; his education and training

Answer: B — Kurien clearly states his transformation occurred fifty years ago when he agreed to work for a small cooperative of dairy farmers through a series of events that presented him with a life-changing choice.

Q5. Ramesh reads his grandfather's old letters and discovers memories of events from fifty years ago. What concept from Kurien's letter best explains why these letters are valuable to Ramesh?

  • A. The fleeting joy that letters provide to readers
  • B. The abiding pleasure that writing creates—letters can be treasured and re-read over the years with deep satisfaction ✓
  • C. The speed of communication through written letters
  • D. The importance of learning about family history through any means

Answer: B — Kurien's central point is that letters, unlike telephone calls, become possessions treasured and re-read over years with abiding pleasure, which directly applies to Ramesh's experience discovering his grandfather's memories.

Q6. According to Kurien, what is the relationship between personal integrity and integrity with others?

  • A. Personal integrity and honesty with others are completely unrelated concepts
  • B. If you are honest to yourself, it doesn't take much effort to be honest with others ✓
  • C. You should focus only on being honest with others and ignore personal honesty
  • D. Integrity only matters when dealing with important people, not in daily life

Answer: B — Kurien directly states that personal integrity—being honest to yourself—is the foundation, and if you maintain it, being honest with others follows naturally without much effort.

Q7. What did Kurien and his grandmother tell Siddharth about the Padma Vibhushan medal when he asked to keep it?

  • A. They refused because medals belong only to the government
  • B. The medal was his but he should earn his own reward through his own work and contribution ✓
  • C. He could keep it but should not feel proud of his grandfather's achievement
  • D. Only winners of medals can keep them; other family members must return them

Answer: B — Kurien tells Siddharth the medal was his as much as his grandfather's, but the real challenge was to earn his own reward for work in his lifetime, not merely keep someone else's award.

Q8. Which statement best captures Kurien's philosophy about failure?

  • A. Failure means losing money or position in society
  • B. Failure is not about not succeeding; it is about not putting in best effort and not contributing to common good ✓
  • C. Everyone fails and should accept it without trying to improve
  • D. Failure only matters in professional life, not in personal relationships

Answer: B — Kurien explicitly defines failure as not putting in best effort and not contributing modestly to common good, regardless of whether external success is achieved.

Q9. What does Kurien reveal about the relationship between life circumstances and happiness in people?

  • A. Unhappy people have harder lives and happy people have easier circumstances
  • B. There is little correlation between circumstances and happiness; we compare with others' images of perfection and become unhappy ✓
  • C. Only wealthy people can be happy; poor people cannot find joy
  • D. Happiness depends entirely on how hard you work to improve your circumstances

Answer: B — Kurien observes that there is little correlation between people's circumstances and their happiness; the problem is comparing ourselves with others' images of perfection rather than cherishing what we have.

Q10. Why does Kurien emphasize that his achievements should be seen as recognition of 'many people's' work rather than his own alone?

  • A. Because he wants others to receive medals instead of him
  • B. Because he believes no individual can accomplish anything meaningful without community and collective effort ✓
  • C. Because he wants to avoid responsibility for his own contributions
  • D. Because awards in India are always given to multiple people at once

Answer: B — Kurien stresses that his contributions were possible through values inherited from family and mentors, and he worked with many privileged people, showing that meaningful achievement requires collective effort and values passed through generations.

Flashcards

What is the main difference between telephone calls and written letters according to Kurien?

Telephone calls give fleeting joy while letters convey lasting abiding pleasure that can be treasured and re-read for years.

Why did Verghese Kurien choose to work with dairy farmers instead of pursuing other careers?

He realized through a series of events that he could make a more meaningful contribution by working in Anand, Gujarat, serving farmers' needs.

What does Kurien mean by 'integrity is being honest to yourself'?

If you are always honest to yourself about your values and actions, it becomes easy to be honest with others.

What was the grandchild's innocent request at the Padma Vibhushan ceremony in Delhi?

Siddharth asked if he could keep the Padma Vibhushan medal that was awarded to his grandfather.

Define 'abiding pleasure' as used in Kurien's letter.

Abiding pleasure is a feeling of happiness that continues for a long time, not something momentary or fleeting.

What values did Kurien say he inherited and consistently adhered to throughout his life?

He inherited values from his parents and family elders, particularly integrity, which he learned was being honest to oneself first.

According to Kurien, what is the true meaning of failure in life?

Failure is not about not succeeding but about not putting in your best effort and not contributing to the common good.

Why does Kurien emphasize that recognitions should not satisfy a person completely?

Because recognitions only acknowledge past achievements; the real challenge is to earn your own reward through work in your lifetime.

What role did Kurien's grandmother play in his life's journey?

She ardently supported his choice to live and work in Anand despite its lack of comforts, giving him everlasting strength.

What is the correlation Kurien draws between circumstances and happiness?

There is little correlation between people's life circumstances and their happiness; comparing with others' images of perfection makes us unhappy.

Important Board Questions

What does Verghese Kurien mean when he says that writing a letter gives 'abiding pleasure' while telephone calls give only 'fleeting joy'? [2 marks]

Explain how letters can be treasured and re-read over years, creating lasting happiness. Contrast this with the momentary nature of spoken conversation that disappears once the call ends.

Kurien chose to work with dairy farmers instead of pursuing metallurgy, an army commission, or becoming a successful NRI. Analyze what this decision reveals about his values and priorities in life. [3 marks]

Discuss how his choice reflects the value of meaningful contribution to common good over personal prestige and wealth. Mention the role of his grandmother's support and his realization about making a difference in Anand.

Kurien tells his grandson that 'failure is not about not succeeding. Rather, it is about not putting in your best effort and not contributing, however modestly, to the common good.' Explain this definition of failure and discuss how it challenges the common understanding of failure in society. How does this philosophy help a person live a more fulfilling life? [5 marks]

Distinguish between failure as external non-achievement versus failure as internal lack of effort and contribution. Show how this redefines success to focus on personal integrity, effort, and service rather than results. Discuss how this philosophy prevents regret and builds meaningful life satisfaction.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Verghese Kurien — I Too Had A Dream

Q1. Assertion (A):

Verghese Kurien chose to work for dairy farmers in Anand instead of pursuing more prestigious and lucrative careers.

Reason (R):

He believed he could make a more meaningful contribution to society by working in Anand, Gujarat, despite having opportunities to become a successful metallurgist, army officer, or NRI.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why Kurien made his choice. He explicitly states that 'somewhere, deep down, I knew I could make a more meaningful contribution by working here in Anand, Gujarat.' The reason provides the correct causal explanation for his decision.

Q2. Assertion (A):

Personal integrity means being honest to yourself first and foremost.

Reason (R):

If you are always honest to yourself, you will naturally find it easy to be dishonest with others without guilt.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true as Kurien explicitly states this definition. However, the reason is false and contradicts Kurien's actual message. He says: 'If you are always honest to yourself, it does not take much effort in always being honest with others'—the opposite of what the reason claims.

Q3. Assertion (A):

Writing letters provides more lasting value than telephone calls in preserving memories and family history.

Reason (R):

Letters can be treasured, re-read over years, and provide deeper understanding of what the writer did and why, making them valuable possessions.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both the assertion and reason are true. Kurien clearly contrasts telephone communication (which gives 'fleeting joy') with letters (which become 'a possession that can be treasured and re-read over the years'). The reason accurately explains the basis for his assertion about letter writing's superior lasting value.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Verghese Kurien — I Too Had A Dream

Case Study:

Priya is a talented student who has just completed her Class 10 exams. She has offers to study engineering at a prestigious institute in Delhi with excellent infrastructure and job placements, or to join a vocational program in her small hometown that trains people to become agricultural entrepreneurs helping local farmers increase crop productivity. Her parents prefer the Delhi option for prestige and security. Priya is deeply interested in solving agricultural problems but worried about future stability and social status. She remembers reading Verghese Kurien's letter about choosing meaningful work over prestige.

Q1. Based on Kurien's philosophy expressed in his letter, which factor should be most important in Priya's decision?

  • A. Social status and prestige of the institution
  • B. Where she can make a meaningful contribution using her talents for the common good ✓
  • C. The location and infrastructure of the institute
  • D. What her parents prefer for her career

Answer: B

Q2. How might Kurien's experience with his grandmother support Priya in facing her parents' concerns about her vocational choice?

  • A. His grandmother convinced him to follow their wishes against his own judgment
  • B. His grandmother supported his difficult choice to live in Anand despite sacrificing comforts, showing family support matters more than prestige ✓
  • C. His grandmother assured him he would become wealthy in agriculture
  • D. His grandmother discouraged him from making unconventional choices

Answer: B

Q3. According to Kurien's definition of failure, what would constitute failure for Priya in either career path?

  • A. Not putting in her best effort and not contributing to the common good, regardless of which path she chooses ✓
  • B. Not earning as much money as her classmates
  • C. Not obtaining the most prestigious degree available
  • D. Not receiving recognition and awards in her chosen field

Answer: A

Q4. If Priya chooses the vocational agricultural program and faces difficult living conditions, which principle from Kurien's letter would most encourage her?

  • A. Material comforts are unimportant and should be completely ignored
  • B. She made the wrong choice and should transfer to the Delhi institute
  • C. Life is a privilege requiring using one's talents and contributing to common good; this creates fulfillment beyond material circumstances ✓
  • D. Difficult circumstances guarantee greater happiness and success

Answer: C

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