MS Swaminathan would have been happy if Bharat Ratna had come during his lifetime, says daughter Sowmya Swaminathan

Dr. Sowmya Swaminathan said that her father MS Swaminathan never waited for recognition or waited for awards.

MS Swaminanthan's daughter and former Chief Scientist of the World Health Organization Dr. Sowmya Swaminathan expressed gratitude to the government for bestowing the Bharat Ratna posthumously, but admitted that her father would have been happy had he received the honour during his lifetime.

"On behalf of the family, we are very thankful and happy that our father has received Bharat Ratna posthumously. Grateful to the Prime Minister for making this announcement."

"We feel happy that his whole life's work has been recognised by the highest national award that any citizen of India can get...This recognition by the govt sends a very strong message to the youth of today that you can use science and technology to benefit society," Swaminathan told ANI.

Swaminathan said that her father never waited for recognition or waited for awards.

"I am sure that he would have also been happy if the news had come during his lifetime. But he was never somebody who worked for awards or waited for recognition. He was motivated more by the results of what he did on the ground," Swaminathan told reporters.

Recognising Swaminathan's contribution to farmers’ welfare, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had played an important role in achieving self-reliance in agriculture in challenging times.

It is a matter of immense joy that the Government of India is conferring the Bharat Ratna on Dr. MS Swaminathan Ji, in recognition of his monumental contributions to our nation in agriculture and farmers’ welfare. He played a pivotal role in helping India achieve self-reliance in… pic.twitter.com/OyxFxPeQjZ

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 9, 2024