Delhi to host memorial event honoring legacy of Prof. M.S. Swaminathan

New Delhi: To mark the centenary year of Bharat Ratna Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, widely regarded as the Father of the Green Revolution in India, the India International Centre (IIC), New Delhi, will host the Prof. M.S. Swaminathan Leadership Dialogue on 17th July 2025.

This commemorative event aims to bring together key stakeholders for a meaningful dialogue that reflects and promotes the teachings, values, and vision of Prof. Swaminathan. His lifelong contributions spanned critical areas including agriculture, biodiversity conservation, new technology development, gender empowerment, and sustainable agri-innovations.

The Leadership Dialogue will feature keynote addresses by senior experts on subjects relevant to agriculture, biodiversity, and allied fields. Participation is expected from students, researchers, scientists, faculty members, and civil society representatives, making it a truly inclusive platform.

The Dialogue to be held from 10 am to 2 pm at IIC New Delhi will also include interactive sessions to explore how his teachings can guide current and future efforts in agriculture and sustainable development, ensuring that his remarkable legacy continues to shape generations to come.

The Dialogue will open with a Welcome Address by K.N. Shrivastava, Director of IIC, followed by context setting and an introduction to the vision behind the Dialogue by Dr. Renu Swarup, Former Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

Dr. Madhura Swaminathan, Professor at ISI, Bengaluru, will share brief remarks, offering a personal reflection on Prof. Swaminathan’s impact. This will be followed by a Special Address by Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson of the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), highlighting her father’s pioneering role in transforming Indian agriculture and advocating for science-led development.

Delivering the Presidential Address, Shyam Saran, President of IIC, will underline the relevance of Prof. Swaminathan’s principles in addressing today’s agricultural and environmental challenges.

The highlight of the event will be the Leadership Address titled “From Green Revolution to Evergreen Revolution”by Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Former Director General of ICAR and Secretary, DARE, Government of India. His address will delve into how Prof. Swaminathan’s vision can evolve to meet contemporary needs in food security, climate resilience, and rural livelihoods.

This will be followed by a high-level Leadership Talk on the theme “New Technologies Reaching the Unreached,”moderated by Dr. Renu Swarup. The panel will feature distinguished experts including Dr. Sanjay Kumar, Chairman, ASRB, Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR), Dr. K.C. Bansal, Former Director, NBPGR, and Dr. Ashwani Pareek, Executive Director, NABI, Mohali.

The session will include an interactive Q&A, encouraging open discussion on how cutting-edge agri-technologies can be made inclusive and accessible, echoing Prof. Swaminathan’s lifelong mission to serve the most vulnerable communities.

The event will conclude with Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks by Dr. George John, Former Senior Adviser, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India.

A special focus of the event is to engage the younger generation, inspiring them through the enduring legacy of Prof. Swaminathan’s work and ideals. Known for his deep affection for students and children, Prof. Swaminathan dedicated a significant part of his career to sharing messages that are even more relevant today.