MS Swaminathan Death; Indian Agricultural Scientist Father Of The Green Revolution High quality wheat seeds were developed during the famine in the 60s.

Born on 7 August 1925 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, Swaminathan’s full name was Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan.

MS Swaminathan, the father of India’s ‘Green Revolution’, died in Chennai on the morning of Thursday 28 September at the age of 98. Swaminathan was ill for a long time. He is survived by his wife Meena and three daughters Soumya, Madhura and Nitya.

Born on 7 August 1925 in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, Swaminathan’s full name was Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan. He was a plant genetic scientist. He developed high quality wheat seeds in 1966 by hybridizing Mexican seeds with domestic varieties of Punjab.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the demise of Swaminathan. He said that his groundbreaking work in agriculture at a very crucial time in our country’s history changed the lives of millions of people and ensured food security for our country.

Developed high yielding seeds of paddy and wheat
A graduate in science in both zoology and agriculture, Swaminathan played a key role in developing high-yielding varieties of rice, helping to ensure that India’s low-income farmers produced more crops.

Apart from this, during the famine of 1960, Swaminathan, along with American scientist Norman Borlaug and many other scientists, developed high yielding variety (HYV) seeds of wheat.

Daughter Saumya said- Father was proud of his two works
Swaminathan’s daughter Soumya confirmed his death and said – he was ill for a long time. He breathed his last on Thursday 28 September at his home in Chennai. He was committed to the welfare of farmers and upliftment of the poor of the society till the end of his life. I hope that all three of us daughters will continue that legacy.

Soumya said- My father was one of the few people who believed that women were neglected in agriculture. His ideas have given rise to programs like the Women Empowerment Scheme.

Swaminathan’s daughter said- When he was a member of the Sixth Planning Commission, a chapter on gender and environment was included for the first time. These are two contributions of which he was very proud.

Awarded with Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
Swaminathan was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1971 and the Albert Einstein World Science Award in 1986. Apart from this, he was awarded Padma Shri in 1967, Padma Bhushan in 1972 and Padma Vibhushan in 1989. Swaminathan served as Director General at the Indian Council of Agricultural Research from 1972 to 1979 and at the International Rice Research Institute from 1982 to 1988.