Hailing Bharat Ratna to Dr MS Swaminathan

Recent announcement by Hon’ble Prime Minster Shri Narendra Modi to confer Bharat Ratna to Dr MS Swaminathan, Father of Green Revolution in India, has been hailed by the entire agricultural scientific community. Also to pronounce him as Farmer’s Scientist is most befitting as he worked all through his life for the welfare of farming community. He is perhaps only distinguished person who received all prestigious civilian awards: Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
Thanks to his dynamic leadership and invaluable contributions, India has her head high, meeting the domestic food demand despite having emerged to be the most populous country in the world. 

Today, we have become a major exporting nation in the world. Dr Swaminathan’s contributions to strengthen National Agricultural Research System, first Director General of reorganized Indian Council of Agriculture Research, having gained the status of Secretary, Department of Agriculture Research and Education, creation of agriculture research service and many reforms would all be remembered with great admiration. He had been the most decorated agricultural scientist globally.
Dr Swaminathan was the recipient of first World Food Prize in 1987. He also received the Magsaysay award for community leadership in 1971 besides being the recipient of Elbert Einstein World Science Award in 1987; the Indira Gandhi prize for peace in 1994; UNEP Sasakawa Environment prize in 1994; The UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal in 1999 and many more. He was also the President of Indian Science Congress and Chairman, FAO Council. He also served as Director General of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and was the Founder Chairman of M S Swaminathan Research Foundation, Chennai. 
The void created by him will be very difficult to fill as he had been a visionary, a good planner, great human being and above all most respected by the country for his recommendation as Chairman Farmers Commission to give farmers MSP 50% higher than cost of cultivation + C2. The entire farming community is grateful for his love for the peasants and the Indian agriculture. 

The entire agricultural scientific community is pleased that Dr Swaminathan’s contributions for household food and nutrition security have been recognized through conferment of Bharat Ratna, the highest national honour. We wish it had come when he was alive. 
Dr Swaminathan was a Mahanayak, a legend, great visionary, policy maker, and a human being par excellence. He was a great son of India. 
Prof Swaminathan was also instrumental in the creation of the All India Agricultural Research Service (ARS), which facilitated collaborative research efforts among scientists from all corners of the nation. 
His pioneering work to make country self-sufficient in foodgrains, by introducing and breeding dwarf wheat varieties, had led to enhanced production from 50 million tons in 1950 to now 330 million tons. Hence, from an importing country India became a net exporting nation in the world. 
His commitment to bridge the gap between scientific discoveries and practical implementation led to the inception of the Lab-to-Land Program. This visionary initiative sought to transfer agricultural technologies directly to farmers, ensuring that the benefits of research reached those toiling in our fields. It was a testament to his dedication to the welfare of India’s farming community. Throughout his distinguished career, he made outstanding contributions in agriculture nationally and internally. 
Prof Swaminathan’s influence and leadership extended beyond India’s borders. As Director General, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines from 1982 to 1988, he guided the institute to significant strides in rice research, benefiting the ricegrowing regions worldwide. He was the President of the Pugwash Conferences and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. In 1999, he was one of three Indians, along with Mahatma Gandhi and Ravindra Nath Tagore, on Time Magazin’s list of the 20 most influential Asians of the 20th century. 
The awards and accolades he received during his lifetime bear witness to his exceptional contributions. From being the first World Food Prize laureate in 1987 to the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1971), and the Albert Einstein World Science Award, Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize, and UNESCO Gandhi Gold Medal, among others, further highlighted his exceptional dedication to agriculture and rural development. 
Prof Swaminathan was a great statesman who tirelessly advocated for the welfare of our farming community. As Chairman of the Farmers Commission, he convinced the Government to come up with the National Farmers Welfare Policy and recommended paying farmers MSP +50% of cultivation cost +C2. For these, he earned high respect from the farming community. His love for the peasants and Indian agriculture was unwavering. Hope his dream to have a forward looking National Farmers Welfare Policy approved by the Parliament at the soonest possible.
Excellence with relevance, vigour with rigour, science for society, quality with humility had been the invaluable lessons throughout his life. I am sure his achievements will continue inspiring the young generations to strive for yet better future for Indian agriculture. 

(The Writer is Padma Bhushan Awardee, Former DG, ICAR and Secretary, DARE)