Dr T Ramasami

On 7 August 1925 was born a star on the Earth. On 28 September 2023, the star departed leaving behind rich lessons and legacy for generations to come. Between the two dates, Dr MS Swaminathan, the star, enriched the country and the earth through his stellar work contributions. 

All of us were taught of an ethical parable of five blind men trying to see an elephant through their sensation and experience. The professional life of Dr MS Swaminathan is akin to the elephant seen by blind men in parts. The totality of the persona of Dr MS Swaminathan’s contributions to society is far too large for most to comprehend. Various pillars of his phenomenal contributions are captured by many in parts.

The context of Indian food insecurity prevailing in the mid-sixties in India defines the value of the effort and impact of Professor MS Swaminathan. The country was struggling to feed a third of the current population in the mid-sixties. Trusting in science and technology and investing into technology-led solutions to the societal problems needed a bold leadership and actions backed by conviction. Indeed, technology-led agricultural solutions were found and implemented on the field with the help of a large number of farmers. That India became self-sufficient in food supply within as short a span of five years of time is no mean achievement.

India’s Green Revolution is seen as a lesson for the humanity of the developing world. In 2023, India is not only able to produce crops for meeting the needs of 1.5 billion people but also for more of the humanity at large. This is an aspect of change that was seeded by the work of Professor MS Swaminathan. He is seen as the father of the Green Revolution in India. It forms one of the pillars of the impact-making professional contributions of Professor MS Swaminathan. People perceive him as a revolutionist in the field of agriculture and plant genetics.

While industrial farming with socio economic impact is praiseworthy, Earth-sensitive concerns on sustaining biodiversity of Earth cannot be understated.  Dr Swaminathan emerged as the champion of sustenance of Biodiversity of the Earth. As the President of the International Union of Conservation of Nature, he argued from change in the Euro to Earth-centric focus. He championed for international protocols on Biosafety under conservation on Biological Diversity.   He led the policy formulation leading to the National Biodiversity Act. His four-part formula of biodiversity, namely, conservation, cultivation, consumption and commercialisation of crops presented a new grammar and principle in protection and preservation of biodiversity. People see him as a conservationist. He spoke the grammar of sustainable development and criticality of Sustainable Development Goals much before they became the language of the world. 

His life touched the millions of weak farmers and fishers in the complex social order of India. He cared for their livelihood and dignity. His work connected him to women farmers. Gender parity and empowerment were internal calls for him. 

He established the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation after his superannuation from the service from formal positions. His prizes and awards became the seed capital of the MSSRF. The foundation carried out groundbreaking work at the interface of science and society helping several farmer communities embrace conservation principles of biodiversity and adopt climate sensitive practices on the ground in normal as well as vulnerable coastal ecosystems with a focus on delivering on key Sustainable Development Goals.

Capacity and skill building among the farmer communities has been his forte. Through his work he touched millions of lives. He became a strong voice of the weak farmers; heard aloud in all public debates and in the corridors of power. To millions of farmers, he was an advocate who spoke for their welfare and farmer’s rights. He stood for benefit sharing with farming community as part of social ethics of governance. His role in policy advocacy focused on farmers’ and women welfare remains a hallmark.

Hundreds of thousands of scientists saw in him a spokesman and a role model. He spoke for the social contract of science. He carried convictions into his actions. He was a beacon of hope for many youngsters desirous of careers in science and research. Capacity building and skilling people have been his forte. He championed the cause of science and scientific temper among people. Most scientists and researchers perceive him as a statesman in the science, technology and innovation landscape of India. For generations to come, he has presented a role model to emulate.

Professional contributions of Professor MS Swaminathan made impactful and defining statements in the areas of climate change, sustainability science, delivery on Sustainable Development Goals, biodiversity conservation, nutrition security, Tribal health, gender sensitive governance and many other facets of human life on the Earth. Underscoring all his contributions in professional life is truly his humanism. His ability to connect to people with an extraordinary human sensitivity toned all his professional accomplishments and added extra values. A vast majority of professionals see him as a humanist decorated by his unique and radiating demeanour.

Professor Swaminathan was seen as a revolutionist, conservationist, advocate, statesman and humanist, all rolled into one. Truly he was all that and much more at the same time. He was a true follower of Gandhi, who said that Science without humanity was sinful. Scientific contributions of Professor Swaminathan had one crosscutting theme namely “science for humanity”. His research was not bound by the analytical boundaries of scientific disciplines alone but also focused upon synthesis of implementable solutions to societal problems on the field with farmer centric approaches as working models and farm realities as the governing principle. MSSRF is his brainchild that symbolises his principles and priorities in connecting science to humanity.

Many awards including Padma Vibhushan, World Food Prize, Magsaysay award and many more gained in stature because Professor MS Swaminathan had received them before. Dr MS Swaminathan might not be walking on the planet with flesh and blood anymore but his values for research built on the foundation of universal truth would continue to reverberate for ever. His professional life would always be celebrated. His research ethics emerges directly from universal truth. His work remains emulation worthy for those with internal calls for science for humanity. 

In my view, Dr Swaminathan remains a phenomenon that occurred in the 20th century. Nature created him for connecting science to the cause of humanity. He remains a Rathna of the Bharath! Long live his memory.