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M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference 2025
Evergreen Revolution –
The Pathway to Biohappiness
Date: 7 – 9 August 2025
Location: Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium, NASC, New Delhi, India
About the Centenary Celebration
As we approach the birth centenary of Professor M.S. Swaminathan on August 7, 2025, the M.S. Swaminathan Birth Centenary Celebration will include a series of events to honour his extraordinary contributions to sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural development. These commemorations aim to reflect on his transformative impact and inspire future generations to carry forward his vision of a hunger-free and sustainable world.
The centenary events will serve as both a tribute to Dr M.S. Swaminathan’s unparalleled contributions and a call to action to advance his vision of a hunger-free world. These events will underscore the urgency of collaborative research and policy initiatives to tackle the pressing food security challenges of our time, particularly in the context of climate change.
Registration Details
Step 1: Make your payment (Please note down the Registration Fee Transaction Reference / Payment ID after your payment.)
Indian Nationals (In person): INR 5000
Indian Students (In person): INR 1500
Foreign Nationals (In person): USD 100
Step 2: Fill out your details on the registration form, including the Registration Fee Transaction Reference/Payment ID
The registration fee is inclusive of GST. You will receive a confirmation email if your payment is successful. Please note down the Registration Fee Transaction Reference / Payment ID after your payment.
In-person registration includes access to all events, kit and bag, lunch and high tea on August 7-9, plus gala dinners on August 7-8
All student registrants are invited to participate in the poster presentation across seven themes including Genomics, Policymaking, Agriculture, Climate Change and Health and Gender Equity.
NAAS-YUVA invites enthusiastic agri-scholars (UG, PG, and PhD) to participate in a special Youth Session featuring two dynamic segments: the Youth Parliament and Agri-Idea Pitching. Outstanding participants will be awarded cash prizes,merit certificates, and a memento.
M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace
The M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace, established in honour of Professor M.S. Swaminathan’s legacy, recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to enhancing food security and promoting peace and aims to inspire further efforts toward a just and sustainable world. The recipient will receive a USD 25,000 cash prize, a commemorative medal and an invitation to participate in the award ceremony in India.
The Bengal Famine of 1943 profoundly influenced Dr M.S. Swaminathan, igniting a lifelong dedication to eradicating hunger through scientific innovation and policy reform. His ground-breaking collaboration with Norman Borlaug introduced high-yielding wheat varieties to India, forming the cornerstone of the Green Revolution and propelling the nation toward food grain self-sufficiency.
Recognising the environmental and social challenges posed by intensive farming, Dr Swaminathan championed an “Evergreen Revolution,” emphasising sustainable agricultural practices that balanced productivity with ecological harmony. He spearheaded transformative initiatives such as the Bio-Village model that integrated sustainable development with rural livelihoods, and the National Virtual Academy, which empowered rural communities through digital education and knowledge sharing. His unwavering advocacy for equitable agricultural policies prioritised the rights of smallholder farmers and women, promoting their empowerment and ensuring access to critical resources and technologies.
Explore a visual tribute to Dr M.S. Swaminathan through the dynamic MSS Picture Flipbook showcasing the rare and iconic man. From his personal life to his groundbreaking work in the Green Revolution, and his advocacy for sustainable farming and farmers’ welfare, MSS always placed the well-being of people at the heart of his work. His legacy continues through the MSSRF, the research institution he founded in 1988.
Globally, Dr. Swaminathan’s leadership roles in organisations like the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) reflected his systems-thinking approach to tackling climate change, conserving biodiversity, and addressing socio-economic inequalities.
In recognition of his extraordinary contributions to agriculture and food security, he was honoured with numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri (1967), Ramon Magsaysay Award (1971), Padma Bhushan (1972), World Food Prize (1987), Padma Vibhushan (1989), and Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development (2000). In 2024, his legacy was further immortalised when he was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna.
Discover the inspiring journey of Dr M.S. Swaminathan through this MSS Story Map taking you through his pioneering contributions to the Green Revolution and his commitment to sustainable agriculture. Engage with visuals, maps, and timelines to discover his major scientific contributions and awards, books authored by him, his numerous honorary doctorates, and much more.
In an era marked by existential challenges — climate change, energy crises, and deepening inequalities – Dr Swaminathan’s legacy stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration. His life’s work underscores the urgency of transforming global systems through the fusion of scientific innovation and social justice. Celebrating his centenary is not merely a tribute to his monumental achievements, but a call to action reaffirming a global commitment to sustainable agriculture, food security, and a hunger-free world. His vision of cooperation and benevolence among individuals, institutions, and nations continues to guide us in addressing the complex challenges of our time.
- M.S. Swaminathan Centenary International Conference: A global platform bringing together scientists, policymakers, and practitioners to address challenges in sustainable agriculture, food security, and climate resilience.
- Declaration of 7th August as National Agricultural Science Day*: Advocacy for officially designating Dr. Swaminathan’s birth anniversary as a day to celebrate agricultural innovation and science.
- Commemorative Stamp and Coin Release*: Issuance of a special stamp and coin to honour Dr. Swaminathan’s legacy.
- M.S. Swaminathan Centenary Lecture Series: An ongoing series of lectures by eminent personalities highlighting the impact of Dr. Swaminathan’s work and its relevance to current global challenges.
- Institution of Fellowships, Awards, and Honours:
- M.S. Swaminathan Fellows: Supporting researchers and practitioners in agriculture and allied sciences.
- Dr. M.S. Swaminathan Re-entry Fellowship: Encouraging Indian researchers abroad to return and contribute to national agricultural progress.
- The establishment of Rural Biohappiness Centres: Community-based hubs that harness local biodiversity to strengthen food, health, and livelihood security.
- M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace: The institution of the M.S. Swaminathan Award for Food and Peace by The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS).
- Addressing Challenges with Innovations: Scaling up of innovations with small and marginalized farmers, fishers, and tribal communities through our regionally anchored centres that link conservation with inclusive economic growth.
*Subject to approval by the Government of India
These events aim to celebrate Dr. Swaminathan’s legacy while fostering dialogue, innovation, and action for a sustainable and hunger-free world.
Committees
The Birth Centenary celebrations of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan will be guided by a distinguished organising committee comprising eminent leaders from science, policy, and development.
| Chairperson | |||
| Dr. R. A.Mashelkar | |||
| Committee Members | |||
| Dr. Rajeev Sethi | Dr. Soumya Swaminathan | Dr. T. Ramasami | Prof. K. Vijayraghavan |
| Dr. R. S. Paroda | Dr. Renu Swarup | Mr. T. Nandakumar | Dr. Narayan Hegde |
| Prof. P. C. Kesavan | Dr. K. C. Bansal | Dr. Kartikeya Vikram Sarabhai | Dr. Sanjay Deshmukh |
| Dr. N. Parasuraman | |||
| Member Secretary | |||
| Dr. E. D. Israel Oliver King |
The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) will spearhead the centenary events under the guidance of this esteemed committee, ensuring a fitting tribute to Dr. Swaminathan’s legacy and contributions to sustainable agriculture and food security.
| Dr. Gurdev Khush, Co-chair, Foreign Fellow, NAAS | Dr. Ismahane Elouaf, Executive Managing Director, CGIAR | Dr. Rattan Lal, Director, Carbon Management and Sequestration Centre, USA | Dr. Howarth Bouis, Founding Director, Harvest Plus |
| Dr. Ismail Serageldin, Founding Director and Chairman, Board of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina | Prof. Rajeev K. Varshney, International Chair in Agriculture & Food Security, Murdoch University | Dr. Shenggen Fan, Chair Professor and Dean, AGFEP, China Agricultural University | Dr. Bruce Alberts, Chancellor’s Leadership Chair in Biochemistry and Biophysics for Science and Education, University of California |
| Dr. Rudy Rabbinge, Professor-emeritus bij, Wageningen University | Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn, President Emeritus, The World Food Prize Foundation | Dr. Purvi Mehta, Senior Advisor, Global Centre on Adaptation and Adjunct Professor, Cornell University |
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Chief Patron |
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Shri. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Government of India |
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Patron |
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Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon'ble Minister of State (Independent Charge), Science and Technology, India |
Prof. Ramesh Chand, Member, NITI Aayog, Government of India | Dr. Mangi Lal Jat, Secretary - DARE and DG- ICAR, Government of India | |
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Members |
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Dr. R. A.Mashelkar, Former Director General, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) & Chairperson, M S Swaminathan Centenary Celebrations Committee |
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Shri. Devesh Chaturvedi, IAS, Secretary, Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, GoI |
Dr Himanshu Pathak, President, National Academy of Agricultural Sciences (NAAS) | Shri. Anil Malik, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development, GoI | Shri. Tanmay Kumar, IAS, Secretary, MOEFCC, GoI |
| Shri. Shailesh Kumar Singh, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, GoI | Dr. Angela Lusigi, Resident Representative, UNDP, India | Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, FAO Representative, India | Ms. Elisabeth Faure, Country Director WFP, India |
| Mr. Ulaç Demirag, Country Director, IFAD, India | Dr. Balakrishna Pisupati, Country Director, UNEP, India | Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health, Director General, ICMR, GoI | Dr. M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, GoI |
| Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology, GoI | Shri Vibhu Nayar, IAS, Secretary, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI | Dr. V. Narayanan, Former Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, ISRO | Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) |
| Dr Rajesh S Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology (DBT) | Dr. Rajendra Singh Paroda, Secretary, DARE, GoI & Founder Chairman, TAAS | Dr. Trilochan Mohapatra, Chairperson, PPVFRA, GoI | Shri C. Achalender Reddy, IFS (Retd.) Chairman, NBA, GoI |
| Prof. Ashutosh Sharma, President, INSA, New Delhi | Prof. Vinod K. Singh, President, NASI, Allahabad | Prof. Raghavan Varadarajan, President, IASc, Bengaluru | Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh, Secretary, NAAS |
| Dr. P.K. Joshi, Vice President, NAAS | Dr. B.S. Dhillon, Vice President, NAAS | Dr. W.S. Lakra, Secretary, NAAS | Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MSSRF |
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Dr. Ch. Srinivasa Rao, Director, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi |
Dr. Rajender Parsad, Director, ICAR - IASRI | Dr. B.M. Prasanna, Regional Director for Asia, CIMMYT, Nairobi, Kenya | Dr. Usha Barwale Zehr, Director and Chief Technology Officer, Mahyco Pvt., Limited, India |
| Dr. Vinu Aaram, President, Shanti Ashram, Coimbatore | Dr. Purvi Mehta, Deputy Director & Head of Asia for Agriculture, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | Dr. K.K. Narayanan, Founder, Director, Sthayika Seeds, Bengaluru | Dr. M.J. Khan, Chairman, Indian Chamber of Food and Agriculture India |
| Dr. D. K. Yadava, Deputy Director General, Crop Science, ICAR | Dr. C. Viswanathan, Joint Director (Research), ICAR - IARI | Dr. Anil Kumar, Assistant Director General, (Coordination), ICAR | Dr. E. D. Israel Oliver King, Director, Biodiversity, MSSRF, Member Secretary |
| Dr. R. Rengalakshmi, Executive Director, Area Operations, MSSRF | Mr. Srinivas Raman, Executive Director, Strategy & Operations, MSSRF | Dr. V. R. Prabavathy, Director, Biotechnology, MSSRF | Dr. N. Parasuraman, Principal Archivist & Knowledge Manager, MSSRF |
| Dr. Gayatri Venkataraman, Principal Scientist, MSSRF | Ms. Anbuvahini, Lead Training Coordinator, MSSRF |
The M.S. Swaminathan Centenary Lecture Series
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This August, we're celebrating the 100th birth anniversary of our visionary founder, Prof. M.S. Swaminathan, in New Delhi.
Your contribution will enhance the livelihoods and well-being of millions of rural and tribal communities across India, while honouring one of our greatest nation-builders.
Support the M.S. Swaminathan Birth Centenary Celebrations
All contributions to the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) are eligible for income tax exemptions under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Additionally, MSSRF is authorised to receive foreign contributions under Section 11 of the Foreign Contributions Regulation Act, 2010 (FCRA).
For contributions & further details, please contact:
Dr. R. A. Mashelkar, Chairperson, M.S. Swaminathan Centenary Celebrations Committee
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MSSRF
Dr. E. D. Israel Oliver King, Director, Biodiversity, Conference Member Secretary
Email: mss100ac@mssrf.res.in, mss100support@mssrf.res.in
Your support will help commemorate the legacy of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan and advance the vision of sustainable agriculture, food security, and rural development.