Architect of India’s green revolution C. Subramaniam remembered, statue unveiled

Architect of India's Green Revolution, C. Subramaniam, remembered for immense contributions by educationist B.K.Krishnaraj Vanavarayar.

Not much had been done to remember the immense contributions of C. Subramaniam, the architect of India’s Green Revolution and former Union Finance Minister, educationist B.K.Krishnaraj Vanavarayar said here on Wednesday.

“In Punjab, many farmers have his photo in their homes. But in Tamil Nadu, no road or even a building has been named after him. Nobody speaks about him or even thinks of him. It is the curse of this nation,” he said. Mr. Vanavarayar also told farmers that if at all they must have any photograph in their homes, it must be one of C. Subramaniam.

Speaking after unveiling a statue of former Union Minister C. Subramaniam, who also held the agriculture portfolio, Mr. Vanavarayar recalled how CS, as he was popularly known, had told his family members to pray for the welfare of the country and not for him during a puja organised on his 90th birthday. The statue was unveiled at the National Agro Foundation (NAF)’s Centre for Rural Development premises at Illedu village in Cheyyur taluk of Chengalpattu district as part of the 25th anniversary celebrations. NAF was founded by CS. 

Former IAS officer and chairman of the NAF Trust Board M.R. Sivaraman recalled that there was a major drought in several northern States in 1965-66 when CS became the Union Agriculture Minister. Many ministers went to the US and asked for rice and wheat. But the then US President Johnson wanted Indians to produce their own food. It was around that time that Norman Borlaug developed hybrid Mexican wheat and M.S. Swaminathan procured seeds of IR8 and Sonalika from Manila, he said.

Though CS did not have support from the Planning Commission, he addressed the Parliament, took the risk and got hybrid rice and wheat seeds and distributed them throughout the country. And by 1971, India became self-sufficient in food grains, Mr. Sivaraman added.

T. Ramasami, former Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, said CS was the one who laid the foundation for the department. He romanced and married science and for the first time allocated a budget of ₹4 crore for the department. 

Chairman of NAF Governing Council and former Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu N. Ravi said that C. Subramaniam’s contribution to primary education in the then Madras presidency, development of steel sector at the Centre and efficient handling of science and technology portfolio had had a far-reaching impact on India’s development. His outstanding contribution, however, has been as the architect of the green revolution.