Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with other politicians, and netizens, mourns the demise of the father of India’s "Green Revolution", Dr Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (MS Swaminathan) who passed away on Thursday at the age of 98 in Chennai.
Modi expressed his heartfelt grief over the loss of Dr Swaminathan, emphasizing that during a crucial phase in India's history, his groundbreaking contributions to agriculture revolutionized the lives of millions and safeguarded the nation's food security.
Calling Dr Swaminathan a powerhouse of innovation, Modi said that his life and work will continue to inspire generations to come.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi mourns the demise of the father of India’s ‘Green Revolution,’ Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (M.S. Swaminathan).
© Photo : Twitter/@narendramodi
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, daughter of Swaminathan and the former Chief Scientist and former Deputy Director General at World Health Organisorganation (WHO), told Indian media that he was not keeping well for the last few days and passed away on Thursday morning.
"Till the end, he was committed to the farmers' welfare and to the upliftment of the poorest in society", D. Soumya Swaminathan said.
"My father was one of the few people who recognised that women are neglected in agriculture... He had taken a lot of initiatives to promote women's empowerment... His ideas have led to programs like the Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana, meant to support women farmers. When he was a member of the Sixth Planning Commission, for the first time, there was a chapter on gender and environment included... These are the two contributions of which he was very proud", she added.
The Glorious Life of Dr MS Swaminathan
Born on August 7, 1925, in the Thanjavur district of India's Tamil Nadu state, Swaminathan became widely recognized for his groundbreaking 'Green Revolution' effort, which revolutionised the production of wheat and rice varieties by implementing cutting-edge chemical-biological technology, resulting in an astonishing increase in productivity.
Apart from his groundbreaking innovation, Swaminathan became famous worldwide as one of the 20 most influential Asians of the 20th century for contributing to various international agricultural and environmental initiatives.
He was also awarded the first World Food Prize in 1987, and he utilised the prize money to set up the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai.
He was also awarded with Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1971 and the Albert Einstein World Science Award in 1986.
The Indian government also conferred him with the highest civilian awards of India - Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan.