Canada varsity honours Green Revolution pioneer

Dr M S Swaminathan, who was among the scientists instrumental in heralding India's Green Revolution, will be conferred with an honourary degree by the University of Alberta, Edmonton, on October 7.

It's Dr Swaminathan's desire to 'see his country hunger free' that made him lead 'a global movement in sustainable food security,' says the university's media statement.

"Swaminathan created an agricultural revolution in India in the 1960s, when he pioneered techniques to crossbreed a dwarf Mexican seed with Japanese seeds and local Indian varieties of wheat," the statement noted.

The scientist, whom the United Nations Environment Program christened as 'the father of economic ecology,' was one of the founding members of the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Troops, set up to help developing countries apply science to farming.

He has co-chaired the United Nations Millennium Task Force on Hunger from 2002 to 2005, and served as president of the Nobel Peace Prize-winning Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs from 2002 to 2007, says the award citation.

"His legacy reminds all of us of the power of one person to uplift an entire society," it concludes.

Image: Dr M S Swaminathan