- PM Modi, leaders condole death of noted agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan
- My father was one of the few people who recognized that women are neglected in agriculture: Dr Soumya Swaminathan
NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI/CHENNAI, SEPT 28
MS Swaminathan, renowned as the pioneer of the Green Revolution in India, passed away at the age of 98 in Chennai on Thursday.
Born on August 7, 1925 in Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district, he was an agronomist, agricultural scientist, plant geneticist, administrator, and humanitarian who played a crucial role in developing high-yielding varieties of paddy that helped ensure India’s low-income farmers produce more yield.
He is survived by three daughters — Soumya Swaminathan, former chief scientist, World Health Organisation; Madhura Swaminathan, professor, economic analysis unit, Indian Statistical Institute, Bengaluru and Chairperson, MSSRF, and Nitya Rao, director, NISD, University of East Anglia, UK. His wife, Mina Swaminathan, who was Distinguished Chair, Gender and Development, M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), died in March 2022.
Dr Soumya Swaminathan, former Chief Scientist and former Deputy Director General at the WHO and daughter of MS Swaminathan said, “He was not keeping well for the last few days… His end came very peacefully this morning… Till the end, he was committed to the farmers’ welfare and to the uplift of the poorest in society. On behalf of the family, I would like to thank everyone who has expressed their wishes.”
“I hope that the three of us daughters will continue the legacy that my father and my mother, Mina Swaminathan, have shown us… My father was one of the few people who recognized 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,” Dr Soumya Swaminathan further added.
He founded the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) in 1988, using the proceeds from the First World Food Prize he was awarded in 1987. An official from the institute confirmed that he breathed his last around 11 am.
Hailing from Tamil Nadu’s Thanjavur district, he earned the distinction of being the inaugural laureate of the World Food Prize for his instrumental role in developing and promoting high-yield wheat and rice varieties in India during the 1960s, at a time when the nation was grappling with the looming threat of widespread famine.
Swaminathan collaborated closely with the late Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to formulate agricultural policies.
Additionally, he held the position of chairman for various prestigious international conferences, among them the 1974 United Nations World Food Congress held in Rome.
In January, Dr Soumya Swaminathan assumed the role of Chairperson at the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). Prior to this appointment, she had served as the Chief Scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO) from 2019 to 2022.
PM Modi condoles death of noted agricultural scientist MS Swaminathan
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. pic.twitter.com/BjLxHtAjC4
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2023
I will always cherish my conversations with Dr. Swaminathan. His passion to see India progress was exemplary.
His life and work will inspire generations to come. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 28, 2023
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday condoled the death of eminent agricultural scientist and father of India’s “Green Revolution”, MS Swaminathan, who passed away earlier in the day.
“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,” Modi said in a series of posts on X.
“Beyond his revolutionary contributions to agriculture, Dr. Swaminathan was a powerhouse of innovation and a nurturing mentor to many. His unwavering commitment to research and mentorship has left an indelible mark on countless scientists and innovators. I will always cherish my conversations with Dr. Swaminathan. His passion to see India progress was exemplary. His life and work will inspire generations to come. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” he said further.
BJP President JP Nadda tweeted, “Deeply saddened by the passing away of Dr. MS Swaminathan, the Father of India’s Green Revolution. Dr. Swaminathan was a multifaceted personality whose invaluable contributions to the fields of agricultural research and innovation changed the course of history…My heartfelt condolences to his family members and well-wishers…”
Deeply saddened by the passing away of Dr. MS Swaminathan, the Father of India's Green Revolution. Dr. Swaminathan was a multifaceted personality whose invaluable contributions to the fields of agricultural research and innovation changed the course of history.
He played an…
— Jagat Prakash Nadda (Modi Ka Parivar) (@JPNadda) September 28, 2023
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi tweeted “Deeply saddened at the demise of Dr. M. S. Swaminathan the father of Green Revolution and builder of modern Bharat. He will always live in our hearts and minds. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti!-Governor Ravi…”
Deeply saddened at the demise of Dr. M. S. Swaminathan the father of Green Revolution and builder of modern Bharat. He will always live in our hearts and minds. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti!-Governor Ravi pic.twitter.com/XQkzfRtjn2
— RAJ BHAVAN, TAMIL NADU (@rajbhavan_tn) September 28, 2023
Telangana Governor and Puducherry LG Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan tweeted, “Shocked to hear the sad demise of Father of India’s Green revolution which saved millions of famine deaths globally. He was active in his fields of research & social service till his last breath. He will remain a role model for future generations to reach our Hon’ble @PMOIndia ‘s visionary goals in #AtmaNirmabharat. Share the grief with his illustrious daughter @doctorsoumya @WHO Scientist.”
Shocked to hear the sad demise of Father of India's Green revolution which saved millions of famine deaths globally. He was active in his fields of research & social service till his last breath. He will remain a role model for future generations to reach our Hon'ble… pic.twitter.com/oxYtHhpnXw
— Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan (மோடியின் குடும்பம் ) (@DrTamilisai4BJP) September 28, 2023
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin tweeted, “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of eminent agro scientist Thiru M.S. Swaminathan. His pioneering work in the field of sustainable food security has had a profound impact worldwide. I will always cherish the moments I spent with him. My thoughts are with his family and the global science community during this difficult time. #MSSwaminathan …”
Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of eminent agro scientist Thiru M.S. Swaminathan. His pioneering work in the field of sustainable food security has had a profound impact worldwide. I will always cherish the moments I spent with him. My thoughts are with his family and the…
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) September 28, 2023
வேளாண் அறிவியலாளர் திரு. எம்.எஸ் சுவாமிநாதன் அவர்களின் மறைவுக்கு மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் திரு. @mkstalin அவர்கள் வெளியிட்டுள்ள இரங்கல் செய்தி pic.twitter.com/dckTKUSled
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) September 28, 2023
வேளாண் அறிவியலாளர் திரு. எம்.எஸ் சுவாமிநாதன் அவர்களுக்கு காவல்துறை மரியாதையுடன் இறுதி அஞ்சலி செலுத்த மாண்புமிகு முதலமைச்சர் @mkstalin அவர்கள் ஆணையிட்டுள்ளார். pic.twitter.com/T4PDS6s3L5
— CMOTamilNadu (@CMOTamilnadu) September 28, 2023
