Dr MS Swaminathan
Dr M.S Swaminathan, distinguished agricultural scientist and the leader of India’s Green Revolution, passed away on Thursday 28 September, at the age of 98.
Committed Friend and Advisor
MS Swaminathan was the founder and chief of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai, the organisation that played a key role in India’s ‘Green Revolution’, developing high yielding rice varieties that boosted the income and productivity of poor farmers.
Auroville was honoured to have him as Chairman of the Auroville Foundation from 1997-99, and saw him as a committed friend and adviser ever since. In 2002, during a filmed interview for Swiss TV, Dr Swaminathan said: “Auroville stands for fulfillment through work, work which is meaningful, work which can regenerate the environment, which can regenerate the human spirit, and can create more love and understanding and compassion among people. So, I think its message is very relevant to today’s world as after the September 11th events this is the message of hope.”
