PM Modi on Feb 9, 2024, announced that MS Swaminathan, the father of India's ‘Green Revolution’, will be awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously.
Born on August 7, 1925, Swaminathan was an agronomist, agricultural scientist, plant geneticist, administrator, and humanitarian.
MS Swaminathan was pivotal in creating high-yielding varieties of paddy, which significantly boosted farmer's produce.
MS Swaminathan was presented with the World Food Prize in 1987. He is also the recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
He was hailed as an agricultural legend. He established the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai in 1988.
MS Swaminathan passed away in September last year at the age of 98.
He is survived by his three daughters Soumya, Madhura, and Nitya. While his wife Mina passed away in 2022.