NDRI hosts its first Dairy Festival on National Milk Day
On 26 November 2025, to mark National Milk Day — the birth anniversary of Verghese Kurien — NDRI at Karnal organised its first-ever “Dairy Festival-2025,” drawing strong public participation and wide interest.
The festival was inaugurated by NDRI Director Dheer Singh, who lit the ceremonial lamp and toured exhibition stalls showcasing the institute’s latest research outcomes, dairy-entrepreneurship innovations, value-added dairy products, and startup initiatives. The aim, as he explained, was to “connect science, innovation and society,” while inspiring youth and farmers to explore modern technologies, dairy startups, and new product lines.
At the exhibition, visitors found a wide array of dairy innovations: goat-milk cheeses and other goat-milk-based products proved especially popular with the local crowd. A free milk-testing facility was also offered to the public: households could get their milk tested on the spot for purity and adulteration — an outreach aimed at educating consumers and reinforcing the importance of milk quality.
To engage younger generations and foster awareness about nutrition, dairy science, and the value of milk, NDRI also organised quiz, sketching and painting competitions for schoolchildren. Many students participated; winners were awarded, and the event enlisted widespread support among families.
The festival marks a landmark moment for NDRI. It is its first dairy-festival ever — until now, NDRI’s engagement with public outreach was mostly limited to occasional events, research publications, and periodic fairs. By bringing research, innovation, dairy-based products, and community participation under one roof, NDRI has demonstrated a concrete step toward bridging the gap between laboratory-driven knowledge and grassroots dairy practice.
In short, the “Dairy Festival-2025” at NDRI did more than celebrate the legacy of National Milk Day: it acted as a live bridge connecting science with society — giving farmers, start-ups, youth, and everyday consumers a window into the future of Indian dairy.
Source : Dairynews7x7 Nov 29th 2025 picture HT