Dr. M.S. Swaminathan – An obituary

Can leaders inspire ?
In 2013, Late Dr. MS Swaminathan came to Myanmar for an official visit. Like most in India, I too had read about the “Green Man ” who transformed India from being food deficient to a nation producing surplus to feed its population and beyond. I assumed it would be another tick-the-box meeting with a dignitary. 

Already an Octogenarian, I thought maybe Dr. Swaminathan was a tad too old to undertake a trip overseas with a grueling one day itinerary which included numerous courtesy call ons including to the then President and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. It also included a review of our agriculture projects being implemented under our Development Cooperation partnership and a lecture at  Yezin University. I admit, I was not quite sure if he would be able to justify the itinerary drawn up for him. 

I was told that Dr. Swaminathan would like to meet us early in the morning – at six to be precise. He was a towering personality with a soft voice. Extremely courteous, he went over the schedule for the day. We then set out for our meetings after a quick breakfast. 

The day progressed in a whirlwind. We went to the project sites, where he meticulously reviewed their progress. Knowing that I was not an agricultural specialist (I am a medical graduate), he explained to me the larger picture and the vision he had for the projects which he hoped would help to build capacity in the Myanmar agricultural sector. 

Then we went to call on the then Myanmar President U Thein Sein. The President complimented Dr Swaminathan for his energy disproportionate to his age and they both instantly struck a chord. With Daw Suu Kyi, Dr. Swaminathan patiently answered her doubts regarding genetically modified crops and carried the conversation with such ease as if he were a seasoned diplomat. Dr. Swaminathan’s reputation after all was not confined to the shores of India. 

We then headed to the University where Dr. Swaminathan addressed a packed auditorium. His speech ended with a rapturous applause which proved that if spoken with clarity, passion and knowledge, language is no constraint. Such was his conviction on the importance of agriculture in an economy, that for a moment, I wondered if I made a wrong choice of graduating as a doctor instead of taking up agricultural science. A day well spent, he finally had a lengthy discussion with us before he retired for the night

That was my only meeting with the Great Man or rather G.O.A.T (Greatest Of All Time) in today’s parlance. I still remember the sparkle in his eyes, the energy in his steps and passion in his words. Coupled with his humbleness, he left an everlasting impression. His wisdom was unparalleled as was his vision and dedication to the country.  To quote Mark Antony from the play Julius Caesar “And say to all the world, THIS WAS A MAN!”
Leaders can inspire !

(An edited version was published in the Times of India, Lucknow edition, 19^th October 2023)