Renowned Agricultural Scientist MS Swaminathan Passes Away
Chennai, India –
Renowned agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan, who played a vital role in India’s achievement of agricultural self-sufficiency, has sadly passed away at the age of 98. The visionary scientist breathed his last in Chennai, leaving behind a legacy that continues to inspire generations.
Born on August 7, 1925, in Mankomp, Kuttanad taluk of Alappuzha district, MS Swaminathan, lovingly known as Mankomp Sambasivan Swaminathan, emerged as the father of the Indian Green Revolution. Building upon Norman Borlaug’s groundbreaking research, he developed high-yielding seeds specifically adapted to Indian environmental conditions and diligently disseminated them among farmers.
Recognized as one of the twenty most influential individuals in Asia during the 20th century by Time magazine, MS Swaminathan shared this prestigious honor with remarkable figures such as Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore as the only representatives from India. His crucial recommendation for the green revolution to manifest as an evergreen revolution, fostering sustainable agriculture for long-term food security, resonated deeply with experts and policymakers alike.
From 1972 to 1979, he served as the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, effectively utilizing his expertise to transform the nation’s agricultural landscape. His illustrious career also encompassed positions as the Principal Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, Director General of the International Rice Research Centre, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, and Chairman of the National Farmers’ Commission.
An incident that left an indelible mark on Swaminathan’s life occurred during the devastating Bengal Famine of 1943, where the scientist witnessed the unimaginable loss of countless lives to starvation. This tragic event became a catalyst, driving him to dedicate his life to eradicating world hunger.
Swaminathan completed his education in Zoology at the esteemed Maharaja College, currently known as Thiruvananthapuram University College. Over the years, he garnered numerous accolades, including the prestigious Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Ramon Magsaysay Award, First World Food Award, and the Borlaug Award, among others.
Chennai: MS Swaminathan (98), the genius who led India to agricultural self-sufficiency, has died. He died in Chennai. Born on August 7, 1925 at Mankomp in Kuttanad taluk of Alappuzha district, MS Swaminathan aka Mankomp Sambasivan Swaminathan is known as the father of the Indian Green Revolution. Continuing Borlaug’s research under Indian conditions, he developed high yielding seeds adapted to our environment and propagated them among farmers. Wife: Meena Bhuthalingam. Children: Dr. Soumya, Madura, Nitya.
According to a Time magazine review, he was one of the 20 most influential people to see Asia in the 20th century. Apart from him, only Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore were among the 20 from India. His recommendation to make the green revolution, an evergreen revolution for sustainable agriculture for permanent food security, was widely noted.
Between 1972 and 1979, he was the Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He has proved his excellence in several positions such as the Principal Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Agriculture, Director General of the International Rice Research Centre, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources, Chairman of the National Farmers’ Commission.
During the Bengal Famine in 1943, he saw the death of millions of people due to starvation and decided to give his life to eradicate world hunger.
He graduated in Zoology from the old Maharaja College, now the present Thiruvananthapuram University College. He has won many awards like Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, Ramon Magsaysay Award, First World Food Award, Borlaug Award etc.
English Summary: Agricultural Scientist MS Swaminathan passed away
#Agricultural #Scientist #Swaminathan #died #Father #Indias #Green #Revolution #Swaminathan
