Telangana Minister advocates Bharat Ratna for MS Swaminathan

Hyderabad: Telangana Agriculture Minister Singireddy Niranjan Reddy has strongly asserted that Dr. MS Swaminathan deserves the Bharat Ratna Award.

Niranjan Reddy, accompanied by Agriculture Secretary Raghunandan Rao and CDC MD Kesavulu, paid their respects at the funeral of the eminent agriculturist, Dr Swaminathan, fondly known as the father of India’s Haritha Viplavam, in Taramani, Chennai, Tamil Nadu on Saturday.

Addressing the media on this solemn occasion, Niranjan Reddy emphasized that the delay in honoring Dr Swaminathan with the Bharat Ratna Award was regrettable. He highlighted that this prestigious award celebrates the contributions of scientists, farmers, and the agricultural sector to the nation. Niranjan Reddy lauded Dr.Swaminathan’s exceptional qualities, stating that individuals of his caliber are rare, and the loss of this globally renowned scientist is deeply saddening.

Recalling Dr Swaminathan’s remarkable journey, Niranjan Reddy remarked that he transitioned from a medical background to agricultural education and research, ultimately achieving worldwide recognition. He characterized Dr Swaminathan as a scientific crusader committed to eradicating hunger by advancing food grain research, noting that he was one of the few extraordinary scientists who have left an indelible mark on the world in the past century.

Niranjan Reddy also highlighted the commission chaired by Dr Swaminathan, which recommended fair pricing for farmers. He expressed disappointment that successive governments, both Congress and BJP, failed to implement these recommendations, thereby doing injustice to the farming community.

Dr Swaminathan’s accomplishment as the first recipient of the World Food Prize was recognized by Niranjan Reddy, underlining his significant contribution to enhancing India’s global reputation in agriculture.

Reflecting on a recent interaction, Niranjan Reddy revealed that Dr Swaminathan had expressed a desire to visit Telangana, bringing hope and excitement to the state. He commended Dr Swaminathan’s visionary thinking and his dedication to addressing the needs of future generations, emphasizing his people-centric approach.

Niranjan Reddy, on behalf of the Telangana peasantry, the people, and the government, paid heartfelt tributes to Dr Swaminathan. He lamented the unfortunate fact that many of Dr. Swaminathan’s recommendations remained unimplemented.