India announced Bharat Ratna for M. S. Swaminathan, also known as the Father of the Green Revolution. He was an Indian agronomist, agricultural scientist, plant geneticist, administrator, and humanitarian. He was born on August 7th, 1925 in Kumbakonam, Tanjore District in British India (present-day Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu). Swaminathan’s contributions to the field of agriculture have been invaluable and have earned him numerous awards and honours throughout his lifetime.
The Main Architect of the Green Revolution
Swaminathan is widely recognized as the main architect of the green revolution in India. His leadership and role in introducing and further developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice saved India and Pakistan from certain famine-like conditions in the 1960s. This was made possible through his collaborative efforts with Norman Borlaug, a renowned American agronomist.
Swaminathan’s vision for an Evergreen Revolution coined in 1990 aimed at achieving productivity without causing harm to the environment. His pioneering work in areas such as cytogenetics, ionizing radiation, and radiosensitivity has contributed greatly to improving farming systems not only in India but also globally.
A Legacy of Honours
In recognition of his contributions to agriculture, Swaminathan received numerous awards and honours including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, Ramon Magsaysay Award, Albert Einstein World Science Award and most recently, he was posthumously conferred with Bharat Ratna – the highest civilian award of India – in 2024.
p>In addition to his scientific achievements, Swaminathan was also a president of both Pugwash Conferences and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. He was also a member of the Parliament of India from 2007 to 2013, where he advocated for policies that would benefit farmers and improve the agricultural sector.
A Visionary Leader
Swaminathan’s leadership as Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines was instrumental in his being awarded the first World Food Prize in 1987. He was also the founder of an eponymous research foundation which continues to carry on his legacy.
He was a strong advocate for sustainable agriculture and believed in empowering farmers through education and technology. His work has inspired generations of scientists, technocrats, engineers, and mathematicians to pursue careers in agriculture and contribute towards building a better future for all.
p>M. S. Swaminathan will always be remembered as a pioneer in agricultural research, an environmentalist, and a humanitarian. His contributions have not only transformed India’s farming system but have also had a global impact. As we continue to face challenges in food security and sustainability, let us remember Swaminathan’s vision for an Evergreen Revolution and work towards making it a reality.
