‘He would have been happy if news came during his lifetime…but he didn’t work for awards’: MS Swaminathan’s daughter

“Dr Swaminathan’s life embodies selflessness and service to humanity. He believed in using the power of science and technology to solve societal problems. He was also a karma yogi, and the reward he sought was the happiness on the faces of rural and tribal men, women, and children. The recognition given to him now will serve to inspire and motivate the younger generation to believe that through the thoughtful and humane use of science and technology, it is possible to solve the problems of society,” she said.

During an interaction with the media, she also highlighted her father’s lifelong dedication not just to agriculture, but to the welfare of farmers and the most vulnerable segments of society.

She also highlighted her father’s humility, and focus on impact over recognition. “I am sure that he would have also been happy if the news had come during his lifetime, but he wasn’t somebody who worked for awards or waited for recognition. They came to him, but he was motivated by the results of the work he did on the ground, and the people’s love and affection. He always used to remember the farmers he had met, wherever he went in India, the way they used to convey their gratitude and love. He would have definitely been happy, but he wasn’t somebody who was waiting for this award,” Soumya Swaminathan said.

The renowned scientist’s journey began in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, where he was born on August 7, 1925. Inspired by his father’s involvement in the freedom movement and by Mahatma Gandhi, Swaminathan pursued a career in agricultural science, earning degrees from the Agricultural College in Coimbatore and the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi, before completing his doctoral studies at Cambridge University in England. His post-doctoral research at the University of Wisconsin paved the way for a distinguished career that saw him join the Central Rice Research Institute, Cuttack, and later become the director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute.

Swaminathan’s work during the mid-1960s was crucial in addressing India’s acute food shortages. Collaborating with then Union Agriculture Ministers C Subramaniam and Jagjivan Ram, he played a key role in the Green Revolution, which increased wheat and rice production through the adoption of new agricultural technologies. His efforts earned him numerous accolades, including the Padma Shri, the Ramon Magsaysay Award, the Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Vibhushan, among others.

Beyond his scientific achievements, Swaminathan was known for his commitment to the welfare of farmers and the environment. His advocacy for the “evergreen revolution” aimed at sustainable agricultural practices that would benefit future generations without causing ecological or social harm.