Dr Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity.
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, today announced that Dr MS Swaminathan, known for his pivotal role in the Green Revolution, will be conferred the highest civilian award, Bharat Ratna. He said that Dr Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity.
The Prime Minister mentioned in the post on X, “It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in agriculture during challenging times and made outstanding efforts towards modernizing Indian agriculture. We also recognise his invaluable work as an innovator and mentor and encouraging learning and research among several students. Dr Swaminathan’s visionary leadership has not only transformed Indian agriculture but also ensured the nation’s food security and prosperity. He was someone I knew closely, and l always valued his insights and inputs.”
Born on August 7, 1925, in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, Dr Swaminathan’s journey in agriculture began after witnessing the devastating Bengal famine of 1943. His decision to focus on ensuring India’s food security led him to become a key figure in the Green Revolution of the 1960s, which transformed India from a food-deficient nation to one of the world’s leading agricultural producers. His collaboration with Nobel laureate Norman Borlaug introduced high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice, saving millions from starvation.
