Swaminathan oversaw the program that assisted India’s underprivileged farmers in switching to high-yielding wheat and rice varieties.
According to a post on X by the national broadcaster DD News, Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan, a famous agricultural scientist widely regarded as the creator of India’s Green Revolution, passed away on Thursday. He was 98.
According to PTI, he has been receiving treatment for an age-related disease for a while. He leaves behind three daughters.
In the 1960s and 1970s, Swaminathan led the scientific initiative that assisted India’s underprivileged farmers in adopting high-yielding wheat and rice varieties, enabling the country to become self-sufficient in basic foods.
In addition to his many other roles, he served as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the director of the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, the principal secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, and a member of the former Planning Commission.
Swaminathan received the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibushan awards for his contribution. In addition to these awards, he also received the Lal Bahadur Sastri National Award, the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership, the Albert Einstein World Science Award, the First World Food Prize, the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development, and the Mahatma Gandhi Prize of UNESCO.
The death of MS Swaminathan left Prime Minister Narendra Modi “deeply saddened; his work in agriculture changed the lives of millions and ensured India’s food security.” Swaminathan’s steadfast dedication to mentoring and research left an enduring impression on innumerable scientists and inventors, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
