M. S. Swaminathan

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M. S. Swaminathan
Monkombu Sambasivan Swaminathan - Kolkata 2013-01-07 2685.JPG
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
In office
2007–2013
ConstituencyNominated
Born (1925-08-07) 7 August 1925 (age 96)
Kumbakonam, Tanjore District, Madras Presidency, British India
NationalityIndian
Alma materUniversity of Kerala (BSc)
University of Madras (MSc)
University of Cambridge (PhD) University of Wisconsin ( Postdoctoral Research)
Awards
Scientific career
InstitutionsIndian Council of Agricultural Research

Mankombu Sambasivan Swaminathan (born 7 August 1925) is an Indian geneticist and administrator, known for his role in India's Green Revolution. Swaminathan has been called the "Father of Green Revolution in India" for his role in introducing and further developing high-yielding varieties of wheat in India. He is the founder of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation.[1]

In 1999, he was one of 3 Indians on Time's list of the 20 most influential Asian people of the 20th century.[2]

Early life and education[edit]

M. S. Swaminathan was born in Kumbakonam, Tamilnadu, India on 7 August 1925. He was the second son of surgeon Dr. M.K. Sambasivan and Parvati Thangammal Sambasivan. After his father's death when he was 11, young Swaminathan was looked after by his uncle. He attended the local high school and later the Catholic Little Flower High School in Kumbakonam, from which he matriculated at age 15.[3] Coming from a family of doctors, he took admission in a medical school. But, when he witnessed the Great Bengal famine of 1943, he decided to devote his life to getting rid of hunger from India. He was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi while he took this decision. He switched from the medical field to the agricultural field.[4] He then went on to finish his undergraduate degree in Biology at Maharaja's College in Trivandrum, Kerala (now known as University College, Thiruvananthapuram). He studied there from 1940–44 and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in zoology.

Later Swaminathan decided to pursue a career in agricultural sciences and enrolled in Madras Agricultural College (now the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University) where he graduated as valedictorian with another Bachelor of Science degree, this time in Agricultural Science.

In 1947, the year of Indian independence he moved to the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) in New Delhi as a post-graduate student in genetics and plant breeding. He obtained a post-graduate degree with high distinction in Cytogenetics in 1949.

He was a UNESCO fellow at the Wageningen Agricultural University, Institute of Genetics in the Netherlands. Here he succeeded in standardizing procedures for transferring genes from a wide range of wild species of Solanum to the cultivated potato, Solanum tuberosum. In 1950, he moved to study at the Plant Breeding Institute of the University of Cambridge School of Agriculture. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in 1952, for his thesis, "Species Differentiation, and the Nature of Polyploidy in certain species of the genus Solanum – section Tuberarium."

Swaminathan accepted a post-doctoral research associateship at the University of Wisconsin, Laboratory of Genetics to help set up a USDA potato research station. He returned to India in early 1954.

Publications[edit]

Dr Swaminathan is a prolific scientific researcher and writer. He published 46 single-author papers between 1950 and 1980. Out of 118 two author papers, he was first author of 80. Out of 63 three-author papers he was first author of 15. Out of 21 four-author papers he was first author of 9. In total he had 254 papers to his credit, 155 of which he was the single or first author. His scientific papers are in the fields of crop improvement (95), cytogenetics and genetics (87) and phylogenetics (72). His most frequent publishers were Indian Journal of Genetics (46), Current Science (36), Nature (12) and Radiation Botany (12).[5] Some of the papers are listed below.

In addition he has written a few books on the general theme of his life's work, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture for alleviation of hunger.

Swaminathan's books include

  • 50 Years of Green Revolution - An Anthology of Research Papers, 2017
  • M. S. Swaminathan - Legend in Science and Beyond, 2017
  • In Search of Biohappiness - Biodiversity and Food, Health and Livelihood Security (2nd Edition), 2015
  • In Search of Biohappiness - Biodiversity and Food, Health and Livelihood Security, 2011
  • Science and Sustinable Food Security - Selected Papers of M S Swaminathan, 2010
  • An Evergreen Revolution, 2006.[6]
  • I Predict: A Century of Hope Towards an Era of Harmony with Nature and Freedom from Hunger, (1999)[7]
  • "Gender Dimensions in Biodiversity Management", (ed.) (1998)[8]
  • Implementing the Benefit Sharing Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity: Challenges and opportunities (1997)[9]
  • Agrobiodiversity and Farmers' Rights, 1996[10]
  • "Sustainable Agriculture: Towards Food Security"[11]
  • Farmers’ Rights and Plant Genetic Resources: A dialogue. (ed.) (1995)[12]
  • Wheat Revolution: a Dialogue (ed) (1993)[13]

Research reports[edit]

He has published laboratory research results in several scientific journals and increasingly writes for a wider audience in environmental journals.[14][15]

Controversies[edit]

A scientific paper in which Swaminathan and his team claimed to have produced a mutant breed of wheat by gamma irradiation of a Mexican variety (Sonora 64) resulting in Sharbati Sonora, claimed to have a very high lysine content, led to a major controversy. The case was discussed as a classic example of scientific misdemeanor and was claimed to be an error made by the laboratory assistant.[16] The episode was also compounded by the suicide of an agricultural scientist.[17][18][19][20][21] Recent workers have studied it as part of a systemic problem in Indian agriculture research.[22]

Honours, awards and international recognition[edit]

13th President of India Pranab Mukherjee presenting the Doctor of Science (Honoris Causa) to M.S. Swaminathan at the 64th Convocation of Panjab University, in Chandigarh 2015.
13th Prime Minister of India Manmohan Singh and Sonia Gandhi presenting the 28th Indira Gandhi National Integration Award to M.S. Swaminathan, at a function in New Delhi on 2013.

Swaminathan has received several awards and prizes. These prizes include large sums of money, which has helped sustain and expand his work.

  • H.K. Firodia award for excellence in Science & Technology
  • Four Freedoms Award for demonstrating achievement of the principles of Freedom of speech, Freedom of Religion, Freedom from want and Freedom from fear, 2000
  • Planet and Humanity Medal of the International Geographical Union awarded "in recognition of his unique success in scientific research and its application, leading to Asia's Green Revolution. 2000
  • UNEP Sasakawa Environment Prize Laureate for contributions to the
    protection and management of the environment. Co – winner with Paul and Anne Ehrlich 1994, $200,000 (1,20,00,000 indian rupees) prize.[23]
  • The Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement "in recognition of life-long contributions to increasing biological productivity on an ecologically sustainable basis, and to promoting the conservation of biological diversity" 1991
  • Honda Prize,[24] for achieving results in the field of ecotechnology, 1991
  • Padma Vibhushan 1989[25]
  • World Food Prize for advancing human development through increased quantity, quality or accessibility of food, 1987
  • Golden Heart Presidential Award of the Philippines, conferred by president Corazon Aquino 1987
  • Albert Einstein World Award of Science as a recognition for his contributions to plant genetics and his influence on international agricultural development. 1986[26]
  • Borlaug Award, given by Coromandel Fertilizers in profound appreciation of his catalytic role in providing deep insights and inspiring fellow scientists to set goals ... for evolving a strategy for agriculture rooted in science, but tempered by a concern for ecology and human values 1979
  • Padma Bhushan 1972[25]
  • Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership 1971
  • Padma Shri 1967
The President, Shri Pranab Mukherjee conferring the Honorary D. Lilt. upon Dr. M.S. Swaminathan at the special convocation of University of Mumbai, in Mumbai

He holds more than 50 honorary Doctorate degrees from universities around the world.

National Awards[edit]

He has been honoured with several awards in India for his work to benefit the country.

International Awards[edit]

He has been honoured with recognition from several international organisations for spreading the benefits of his work to other countries.

  • UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Gold Medal for his work in extending the benefits of biotechnology to marginalised and poverty-stricken populations in developing countries and in securing a sound basis for sustainable agricultural, environmental and rural development 1999
  • Henry Shaw Medal awarded by the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Botanical Garden in consideration of important service to humanity through emphasis on sustainability in agriculture – USA 1998
  • Ordre du Merite Agricole, Govt of France to honour services of the highest quality rendered to the cause of agriculture 1997
  • Highest award for International Cooperation on Environment and Development, Govt of China for contributions to the lofty cause of environmental protection and development, and for his signal accomplishments in the field of international cooperation 1997
  • Global Environmental Leadership Award "for encouraging village-level responses to environmental issues" by the Climate Institute 1995
  • World Academy of Art and Science 1994[citation needed]
  • Asian Regional Award by the Asian Productivity Organization APO 1994[citation needed]
  • Charles Darwin International Science and Environment Medal 1993[citation needed]
  • Commandeur of the Order of the Golden Ark of the Netherlands 1990[citation needed]
  • The VOLVO Environment Prize for his research and devoted work in turning Indian food production from a deficit to a much increased supply. 1990.[36]
  • Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID) international award for significant contributions to promoting the knowledge, skill, and technological empowerment of women in agriculture and for his pioneering role in mainstreaming gender considerations in agriculture and rural development 1985.[37]
  • Bicentenary Medal of the University of Georgia, U.S.A. 1985[citation needed]
  • Bennett Commonwealth Prize of the Royal Society of Arts for significant contributions to Household Nutrition Security 1984[citation needed]
  • Mendel Memorial Medal of the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences for contributions to Plant Genetics 1965[citation needed]

Fellowships[38][edit]

Later years[edit]

14th Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi releasing a 2 part book series M.S. Swaminathan in New Delhi on 2017.
  • He currently holds the UNESCO -Cousteau Chair[39] in Ecotechnology at the M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai, India.
  • He is the chairman of the National Commission on Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Security of India (National Commission on Farmers).[40]
  • He is currently spearheading a movement to bridge the Digital divide called, "Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Centre".[41]
  • Bruce Alberts, President of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences said of Dr. Swaminathan: "At 80, M.S. retains all the energy and idealism of his youth, and he continues to inspire good behavior and more idealism
    from millions of his fellow human beings on this Earth. For that, we can all be thankful    ".[42]
  • M. S. Swaminathan is also a member of the Leadership Council of Compact2025, a partnership that develops and disseminates evidence-based advice to politicians and other decision-makers aimed at ending hunger and undernutrition in the coming 10 years.[43]

Personal life[edit]

M.S. Swaminathan is married to Mina Swaminathan whom he met in 1951 while they were both studying at Cambridge. They live in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Their three daughters are Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Dr. Madhura Swaminathan, and Nitya Swaminathan. Swaminathan and Mina have 5 grandchildren.

Further reading[edit]

  • "M.S. Swaminathan – One Man's Quest for a Hunger-Free World" was written in 2002 by Gita Gopalakrishnan, Education Development Center (EDC), Sri Venkatesa Printing House, Chennai, pp. 132 ISBN 81-7276-260-7 Full text:.
  • "Scientist and Humanist: M.S. Swaminathan" by R.D. Iyer, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Mumbai, 2002. pp. 245 Excerpt with photos

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ barunroy (27 February 2009). "SIKKIM: Prof MS Swaminathan appointed as Chancellor of Sikkim University". The Himalayan Beacon. Darjeeling: Beacon Publications. Retrieved 21 January 2010.
  2. ^ Asians of the Century: A Tale of Titans, TIME 100: 23–30 August 1999 VOL. 154 NO. 7/8
  3. ^ The 1971 Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership Retrieved on 26 March 2013
  4. ^ MS Swaminathan - On future of Indian agriculture, YouTube
  5. ^ Kalyane, V. L. and Kalyane, S. V. (1994) Scientometric portrait of M. S. Swaminathan. Library Science 31(1): pp. 31–46. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2007. Retrieved 28 May 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ Swaminathan M.S. (2006). "An Evergreen Revolution". Crop Science. 46 (5): 2293–2303. doi:10.2135/cropsci2006.9999. PMID 11190235.
  7. ^ Swaminathan M.S., (1999)"I Predict: A Century of Hope Towards an Era of Harmony with Nature and Freedom from Hunger", East West Books (Madras) Pvt. Ltd.[]
  8. ^ Swaminathan MS, ed., (1998) Gender Dimensions in Biodiversity Management, New Delhi: Konark Publishers Pvt Ltd.
  9. ^ M.S. Swaminathan (1997), "Implementing the Benefit Sharing Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity: Challenges and opportunities", Plant Genetic Resources Newsletter, No.112, pp. 19–27.
  10. ^ Swaminathan MS, Agrobiodiversity and Farmers' Rights, 1996. New Delhi: Konark Publishers Pvt Ltd. [1]
  11. ^ Swaminathan, M.S.,(1996) "Sustainable Agriculture: Towards Food Security", Konark, New Delhi.
  12. ^ M.S. Swaminathan (ed.) (1995), Farmers’ Rights and Plant Genetic Resources: A dialogue. Madras: Macmillan India Ltd.[2]
  13. ^ Swaminathan MS (ed) (1993) Wheat Revolution: a Dialogue. Madras, Macmillan India Ltd.
  14. ^ National Center for Biotechnology Information, Literature databases, Swaminathan MS, search result [3]
  15. ^ U.S.D.A., National Agricultural Library, Agricola, search: Swaminathan, M. S., result = 198 articles.[4][permanent dead link]
  16. ^ Kohn, Alexander (1997) False Prophets: Fraud An Error In Science And Medicine.
  17. ^ Hanlon, Joseph Top food scientist published false data. New Scientist Vol. 64, No. 922, pp. 436–37
  18. ^ Robert S. Anderson 1983 Cultivating Science as Cultural Policy: A Contrast of Agricultural and Nuclear Science in India. Pacific Affairs, Vol. 56, No. 1 pp. 38–50
  19. ^ New Scientist. "Defence of Swaminathan" (letters). New Scientist, 1975 (30 January): 280–281.
  20. ^ New Scientist. "Swaminathan controversy" (letters). New Scientist, 1975 (February): 339.
  21. ^ New Scientist. "Swaminathan controversy" (letters). New Scientist, 1974 (26 December): 948.
  22. ^ Rajeswari Sarala Raina (1999) Professionalization and evaluation: The case of Indian agricultural research. Knowledge, Technology, and Policy. Volume 11, Number 4 pp. 69–96
  23. ^ UNEP, Sasakawa Environment Prize, previous Laureates, co-winners 94. Unep.org. Retrieved on 29 June 2016.
  24. ^ Honda Foundation, About the award. hondafoundation.jp
  25. ^ a b "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  26. ^ "Albert Einstein World Award of Science 1986". Archived from the original on 6 June 2014. Retrieved 13 August 2013.
  27. ^ List of Fellows of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences. bas.org.bd
  28. ^ "Country should move to evergreen revolution." Archived 16 November 2007 at the Wayback Machine The Hindu. 31 March 2004.
  29. ^ Suresh, N, BioSpectrum Awards 2003, The search for Biotech greats, 12 December 2003."Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 May 2006. Retrieved 27 February 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  30. ^ The Times of India. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (13 July 2001). Retrieved on 2016-06-29.
  31. ^ The WILD World Network: World Wilderness Trust – India 1999 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 10 January 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  32. ^ Bose Institute, Kolkata Archived 24 January 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Boseinst.ernet.in. Retrieved on 29 June 2016.
  33. ^ Indian Environmental Society Archived 27 February 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Iesglobal.org. Retrieved on 29 June 2016.
  34. ^ Indian Botanical Society, MEDALS AWARDED BY THE SOCIETY, Birbal Sahni Medal. [5] Archived 25 May 2007 at the Wayback Machine
  35. ^ M.S Swaminathan gets Indira Gandhi National Integration Award | Business Line. Thehindubusinessline.com (10 October 2013). Retrieved on 2016-06-29.
  36. ^ The Volvo Environment Prize Foundation, The 1990 Volvo Environment Prize awarded to Dr. M. S. Swaminathan "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 24 August 2007. Retrieved 27 February 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  37. ^ Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID). awid.org
  38. ^ "NAAS Fellow". National Academy of Agricultural Sciences. 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2016.
  39. ^ UNESCO, UNITWIN, Chairs Programme, Directory, India, 104 AEN, UNESCO-Cousteau Ecotechnie Chair/The Asian Ecotechnology Network, 1996, p.463.[6]
  40. ^ National Commission on Farmers, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt. of India "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 30 June 2007. Retrieved 28 February 2007.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  41. ^ MSSRF, Mission 2007: Every Village a Knowledge Centre, 2005. mssrf.org
  42. ^ Alberts, Bruce, president – National Academy of Sciences, Washington D.C., "The M. S. Swaminathan I know", Current Science, vol. 89, NO. 2, 25 August 2005,[7]
  43. ^ Leadership Council members from the website of the Compact 2025 partnership. Compact2025.org (17 July 2015). Retrieved on 2016-06-29.

External links[edit]

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