Swaminathan was born in Kumbakonam, Tamil Nadu, India, on August 7, 1925. He was the second son of M.K. Sambasivan and Parvati Thangammal Sambasivan. Swaminathan’s father was a doctor, and his mother was a homemaker.

Swaminathan received his early education at the Government Boys High School in Kumbakonam. He then went on to study agriculture at the Agricultural College of Coimbatore (now the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University). Swaminathan graduated from the Agricultural College of Coimbatore in 1948 with a Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture.

After graduating from the Agricultural College of Coimbatore, Swaminathan worked as a research scholar at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR) in New Delhi. He received his Ph.D. in genetics from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in 1952.

After completing his Ph.D., Swaminathan joined the Indian Agricultural Research Institute as a scientist. He worked at the ICAR for over 30 years, during which time he made significant contributions to the development of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice.

In 1972, Swaminathan was appointed Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He served as Director General of the ICAR until 1980. During his tenure as Director General, Swaminathan oversaw the implementation of the Green Revolution in India.

In 1982, Swaminathan was appointed Director General of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. He served as Director General of the IRRI until 1988. During his tenure as Director General, Swaminathan helped to develop and disseminate high-yielding varieties of rice to farmers in developing countries around the world.

After retiring from the IRRI in 1988, Swaminathan returned to India and founded the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development. Swaminathan served as Chairman of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation until his death in 2023.

Swaminathan’s contributions to agriculture are immense and far-reaching. He is best known for his work in developing high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice. In the 1960s, Swaminathan and his team of scientists developed a new variety of wheat called Sonora 64. Sonora 64 was a dwarf variety of wheat that was highly productive and resistant to diseases.

Swaminathan also played a key role in developing high-yielding varieties of rice. In the 1970s, he and his team of scientists developed a new variety of rice called IR8. IR8 was a dwarf variety of rice that was highly productive and resistant to pests.

The development of high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice helped to transform India from a food-deficient country to a self-sufficient one in the 1960s and 1970s. The Green Revolution that Swaminathan helped to usher in helped to lift millions of people out of poverty and hunger.

In addition to his work on high-yielding varieties, Swaminathan also made significant contributions in the areas of crop genetics, soil science, and sustainable agriculture. He was also a strong advocate for farmers’ rights and livelihoods.

Swaminathan received numerous awards and honors for his work, including the Ramon Magsaysay Award (1971), the World Food Prize (1987), and the Padma Vibhushan (2001). He was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society.

Swaminathan’s work has had a profound impact on the lives of millions of people around the world. The Green Revolution that he helped to usher in helped to lift millions of people out of poverty and hunger. He is also credited with helping to reduce the incidence of famine in India and other developing countries.

Swaminathan’s work has also had a significant impact on the environment. The high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice that he developed helped to increase agricultural productivity without the need to expand agricultural land. This has helped to conserve forests and other natural resources.

M.S. Swaminathan was a visionary scientist and humanitarian who made a profound impact on the world. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide generations of agricultural scientists and farmers to come.

Swaminathan’s work has helped to improve the lives of millions of people around the world. The Green Revolution that he helped to usher in helped to lift millions of people out of poverty and hunger. He is also credited with helping to reduce the incidence of famine in India and other developing countries.

Swaminathan’s work has also had a significant impact on the environment. The high-yielding varieties of wheat and rice that he developed helped to increase agricultural productivity without the need to expand agricultural land. This has helped to conserve forests and other natural resources.

Swaminathan was a true global citizen. He worked tirelessly to promote sustainable agriculture and rural development in all corners of the world. He was also a strong advocate for farmers’ rights and livelihoods.

Swaminathan’s death is a great loss to the world. However, his legacy will continue to live on in the work of the many scientists and farmers who have been inspired by him.

In addition to the above, I would like to add that Swaminathan was not only a great scientist and humanitarian, but also a kind and compassionate person. He was known for his humility and his willingness to help others.

Swaminathan was also a great communicator. He was able to explain complex scientific concepts in a way that was easy for everyone to understand. This made him a popular speaker and writer.

Swaminathan’s work has had a profound impact on my own life. I grew up in a small village in India. My parents were farmers, and they struggled to make a living. However, thanks to the Green Revolution, they were able to improve their productivity and income. This allowed me to get a good education and pursue a career in science.

I am grateful to M.S. Swaminathan for all that he has done for me and for millions of other people around the world. He was a true visionary, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.