How Did Stalin Honor Agricultural Scientist MS Swaminathan at His Centenary Memorial?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Prof. M.S. Swaminathan celebrated as the ‘Father of India’s Green Revolution’.
- Chief Minister M.K. Stalin delivered a heartfelt tribute.
- Establishment of the ‘Dr M.S. Swaminathan Research Fund’ with Rs 1 crore allocation.
- Renaming of the Poovir Wetland Green Park in his honor.
- Commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and reducing carbon emissions.
Chennai, Sep 27 (NationPress) A centenary tribute to the renowned agricultural scientist Prof. M.S. Swaminathan took place on Saturday at the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation located in Taramani, Chennai.
The event united prominent scientists, policymakers, and political figures to celebrate the individual acclaimed as the ‘Father of India’s Green Revolution’.
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, the chairperson of the Foundation, welcomed the attendees and reflected on her father's vision for a future free from hunger and focused on sustainable farming.
Among those present were Tamil Nadu Ministers K.N. Nehru, M.R.K. Panneerselvam, Raja Kannappan, and T.M.O. Anbarasan, along with Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who delivered a heartfelt tribute.
During his speech, Stalin remarked that few individuals in history have impacted the lives of millions as significantly as Prof. Swaminathan. “India will always remember M.S. Swaminathan — the individual who spearheaded a revolution that alleviated hunger when our nation was in crisis,” he stated.
Stalin described him as a scientist of exceptional humility, noting how Swaminathan could engage with farmers in distant villages with the same warmth and respect he showed to global leaders. The Chief Minister emphasized that while the world recognizes Swaminathan as the father of the Green Revolution, “to us, he was the guardian of food security, a champion for the marginalized, and a symbol of simplicity.”
He commended Swaminathan’s foresight in addressing the environmental implications of excessive chemical fertilizers and advocating for nutrition-rich, sustainable crops long before climate change became a global priority.
The Chief Minister announced several initiatives to honor the legacy of the scientist. Tamil Nadu has established a ‘Dr M.S. Swaminathan Research Fund’ with an initial budget of Rs 1 crore to foster innovations in agriculture. Additionally, the Poovir Wetland Green Park has been renamed in his honor, and the Agricultural College and Research Institute in Ichangottai, Thanjavur, will now carry his name. An annual award commemorating him will also be presented to students of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.
Stalin affirmed that the state’s Dravidian Model government aims to decrease carbon emissions by 2050 — a full two decades ahead of India’s national target — while continuing to invest in the welfare of farmers and sustainable food security. “The life and contributions of Prof. Swaminathan will forever inspire us,” he concluded.