Father of Green Revolution: MS Swaminathan Departs
M.S. Swaminathan, the renowned agricultural scientist who played a pivotal role in India’s Green Revolution, passed away peacefully at his Chennai residence on September 28, 2023, at 11:20 am. He was 98 years old at the time of his passing and is survived by his three daughters.
Swaminathan was born on August 7, 1925, in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India. He studied agriculture at the University of Kerala and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi. After completing his PhD in plant genetics at the University of Cambridge, he returned to India in 1954 to join the Indian Agricultural Research Institute.
Swaminathan began his work on the Green Revolution in the early 1960s. He introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice that were resistant to pests and diseases. He also worked with farmers to improve agricultural practices. Swaminathan’s efforts helped India to achieve food self-sufficiency in the 1970s and 1980s.
Swaminathan was a recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. He was also awarded the World Food Prize in 1987.
In addition to his scientific work, Swaminathan was also a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and rural development. He founded the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in 1982, which works to improve the lives of farmers and rural communities.
Swaminathan’s death is a major loss to the scientific community and to India as a whole. He was a visionary scientist who made a significant contribution to India’s food security and rural development. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scientists and policymakers.
Swaminathan’s legacy
Swaminathan’s legacy is immense. He is credited with helping to save India from famine in the 1960s and 1970s. His work on the Green Revolution helped to increase India’s agricultural productivity by several times. This allowed India to become self-sufficient in food and to lift millions of people out of poverty.
In addition to his scientific work, Swaminathan was also a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture and rural development. He founded the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in 1982, which works to improve the lives of farmers and rural communities.
Swaminathan was a visionary scientist who made a significant contribution to India’s food security and rural development. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scientists and policymakers.
