MS Swaminathan, father of India's 'Green Revolution', passes away at 98
MS Swaminathan
Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, widely recognised as MSSwaminathan, the renowned agricultural scientist who played a pivotal role in India's 'Green Revolution,' peacefully departed at his Chennai residence on September 28, 2023, at 11:20 am. He reached the age of 98 at the time of his passing and is survived by his three daughters.
Early life and career
Born on August 7, 1925, in Tamil Nadu's Thanjavur district, MSSwaminathan, was a multifaceted individual who left an indelible mark on India's agricultural landscape.
He was not only an agronomist, agricultural scientist, and plant geneticist but also a dedicated administrator and humanitarian.
Swaminathan embarked on his career in 1949, delving into research on the genetics of various crops, including potato, wheat, rice, and jute.
During a critical period in India's history, when the nation faced the spectreof widespread famine and severe food grain shortages, Swaminathan, alongside luminaries like Norman Borlaug and other scientists, developed a high-yielding variety of seeds for wheat. This pivotal contribution played a vital role in averting a looming catastrophe.
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The Green Revolution architect
Swaminathan earned the moniker "Father of Economic Ecology" from the United Nations Environment Programme, underscoring his commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.
During the 1960s and 70s, he collaborated with esteemed agriculture ministers such as C Subramaniam and Jagjivan Ram to orchestrate the 'Green Revolution.'
For his role in introducing high-yielding wheat and rice varieties to India, Swaminathan received the inaugural World Food Prize in 1987.
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Subsequently, he established the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai. Throughout his illustrious career, he also received several prestigious awards, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1971 and the Albert Einstein World Science Award in 1986.
His accolades extended to India's highest civilian honours, the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. Additionally, he was honoured with the HK Firodia Award, the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award, and the Indira Gandhi Prize.
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