MS Swaminathan, the ‘Father of India’s Green Revolution,’ Passes Away: 10 Key Facts About the Renowned Scientist
1. Early Agricultural Passion: MS Swaminathan, born on August 7, 1925, in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district, nurtured a deep interest in agriculture from a young age. His extended family’s involvement in rice, coconut, and mango farming contributed to his agricultural knowledge.
2. Academic Journey: Swaminathan earned bachelor’s degrees in Zoology and Agricultural Sciences. His commitment to agriculture grew after witnessing the Bengal Famine of 1943, prompting him to choose a career in this field.
3. Postgraduate Pursuit: In 1947, Swaminathan joined the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, focusing on plant breeding and genetics. He obtained a postgraduate degree in cytogenetics in 1949.
4. Green Revolution Pioneer: In collaboration with Norman Borlaug and fellow scientists in 1960, Swaminathan played a pivotal role in developing high-yielding variety (HYV) wheat seeds. This initiative aimed to address India’s food scarcity challenges.
5. Architect of Green Revolution: Swaminathan laid the groundwork for the Green Revolution in India, emphasizing increased agricultural productivity through research and technology.
6. Leadership Roles: He served as Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research from 1972 to 1979 and the International Rice Research Institute from 1982 to 1988. Additionally, he held the position of Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture in 1979.
7. World Food Prize Laureate: Swaminathan received the inaugural World Food Prize in 1987. He utilized the prize money to establish the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation.
8. Evergreen Revolution Advocate: In 1990, Swaminathan coined the term “Evergreen Revolution” to promote sustained productivity growth with a focus on sustainability.
9. Academic Recognition: He was honored with 84 honorary doctorates and authored 254 papers in diverse fields, including cytogenetics, crop improvement, and genetics.
10. Personal Life: Swaminathan married Mina Swaminathan, whom he met while studying in Cambridge in 1951. The couple resided in Chennai and had three daughters: Soumya, Madhura, and Nitya.
MS Swaminathan’s legacy as a trailblazing scientist and visionary in Indian agriculture will continue to inspire generations to come.
