RAS question
M.S. Swaminathan is known as the father of India's:
Correct answer: (D) Green Revolution.
M.S. Swaminathan is known as the Father of India's Green Revolution.
Explanation
M.S. Swaminathan is identified by the Press Information Bureau as the eminent agricultural scientist and Father of the Green Revolution in India. This title comes from his role in introducing high-yielding varieties of wheat in India in the 1960s, including Mexican varieties associated with Norman Borlaug's programme. The PIB account also says Swaminathan's landmark work enhanced the productivity and production of wheat and rice crops during the 1960s-70s, and that he championed the Green Revolution with Nobel Laureate Dr Norman Borlaug. This is why the title is attached to the Green Revolution rather than to later sector-specific revolutions such as blue, white or golden.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Blue Revolution refers to fisheries, while Swaminathan's recognised title in the PIB account is linked to the Green Revolution in Indian agriculture.
- (B) White Revolution is associated with Verghese Kurien, while the PIB description identifies Swaminathan as father of the Green Revolution in India.
- (C) Golden Revolution relates to horticulture and honey, whereas Swaminathan's work is connected with high-yielding crops and the Green Revolution.
Concept
This tests the Geography of India theme of agricultural revolutions and key personalities. It recurs in RAS because such questions connect crop productivity, food security and post-Independence agricultural change.