Sep 28, 2023
MS Swaminathan, regarded as the father of India’s Green Revolution, passed away in Chennai on Thursday. He was 98.
Image Source: BCCL
Family sources confirmed that he passed away at his residence in Teynampet at 11.15am following age-related ailments.
Image Source: BCCL
In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Deeply saddened by the demise of Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji. At a very critical period in our nation’s history, his groundbreaking work in agriculture transformed the lives of millions and ensured food security for our nation." (Image courtsey: Narendra Modi twitter handle)
Image Source: Agencies
In the 1960s, when India was on the verge of a mass famine leading to a shortage of food grains, Swaminathan along with Norman Borlaug and other scientists developed the high yield variety seeds of wheat.
Image Source: BCCL
The development marked a transition from traditional agriculture in India to the introduction of high-yielding varieties of seeds and the associated techniques. This led to the green revolution in India and Swaminathan was called the Father of the Green Revolution. (Image courtsey: MSSRF website)
Image Source: Agencies
Born in Kumbakonam on August 7, 1925, Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan switched from studying medicine to the agricultural field when he witnessed the Great Bengal Famine of 1943.
Image Source: ANI
Projecting a passion for plants, he did his bachelors in agricultural science and post graduate degree in cytogenetics. He collaborated with researchers and students on a range of issues in basic and applied plant breeding, agricultural research and development and the conservation of natural resources.
Image Source: BCCL
He served as the director general of Indian Council of Agricultural Research and later International Rice Research Institute, principal secretary of the ministry of agriculture in 1979, and the president of the International Union of the Conservation of Nature and Natural resources in 1988.
Image Source: IANS
The Indian government awarded him the Padma Shri in 1967 and Padma Bhushan in 1972 and Padma Vibhushan in 1989. Swaminathan was also given the first World Food Prize in 1987.
Image Source: BCCL
Thanks For Reading!
Read Next