“I like to do actions without attachments”

“I like to do actions without attachments”

Renowned agricultural scientist M.S. Swaminathan hails from Mankombu village in Kerala where people from all caste and creeds belonging to both rich and poor strata of society stand united in preserving the fragile ecosystem. ‘Though the past glory of nature has been lost forever the greenery in my village still remains. My early life is something which really remains in me as such’, says the father of our green revolution.

Excerpts from a conversation with Swaminathan.

Gokul P & Shilpa S R

Transitions in Kerala

It is sad to see that people give much importance to dowry, gold and alcohol. I think Kerala again has to regain the glory of yester years in sectors like public health and education to lead more productive life. This is very important for the future of Kerala.

Changes in Biodiversity

There were lots of medicinal plants here. Even new species of rice from Malampuzha were there. There was a proposal to destroy silent valley forest for an electricity project. This was during Indira Gandhi’s time. And I have made suggestions to cease this project and maintain silent valley as a biosphere, which was accepted by the government. Wayanad is also a rich example of biodiversity with coffee, tea and other plantation crops. The government has set up a biodiversity board and I hope this would make the practice of protecting biodiversity even at the panchayath level. I believe population pressure is the major threat to the proper maintenance of biodiversity. More land is being consumed for developmental purposes.

Scientist’s spiritualism

Like everyone, I also follow my own principles of spiritualism. In childhood days I used to read Vivekanada and one of the passages from his book says that life is short. One day you are a hero and the other day a zero. When we live, live for others. Naturally in life everything should be balanced. You can be a rajayogi but I like to be a karmayogi. I like to do actions without attachments. Ego is the greatest enemy of spiritual and professional growth. One who believes that he knows everything will never grow more.

From green to ‘evergreen revolution’

From green to ‘evergreen revolution’

  “From Green Revolution we should now move on to an Evergreen Revolution by increasing productivity in perpetuity without associated ecological harm”, said Dr. M.S. Swaminathan. He was speaking on the topic Bio-diversity, ‘Sustainable food security and Green economy’ at the National Symposium on Sustainable Management of Bio-diversity using science and technology.                

  Dr. Swaminathan observed that it is high time we switch over to methods like green agriculture, organic farming along with adopting methods like conservation farming with the help of integrated pest management, integrated nutrient supply, and integrated natural resource management. “Conservation of Biodiversity, its better utilisation, and distribution of benefits ensuring equality will lead the nation to sustainable development’. If farm ecology and economics go wrong, nothing else will go right. The interest in agriculture is on the decline; more youngsters should come forward to sustain the sector. In the field of research also, the support is diminishing” opined the celebrated scientist.

  Green economy along with social inclusiveness is the policy which is to be adapted for the 21st centaury. “The future belongs to nations with grains, not guns” he added.

  Dr. Swaminathan suggested a combination of ‘pre-breeding and participatory breeding’, as the new approach for the betterment of agricultural productivity. The breeds developed in laboratories must be given to farmers and they must be cultivated in large scale with the help of scientists. Traditional knowledge of rural communities must be exploited while implementing modern techniques.

  He said that curbing the growth of food demand of developed countries’ is essential to reduce the rising food print which is exceeding over bio capacity. The energy wastage by rich people is one of the many reasons for diminishing productivity. 

  Dr. Swaminathan observed that accessibility to food is more important than availability of food. He suggested a number of policy options to improve food security including tough regulatory oversight of commodity market, increasing transparency in exchange trading and clearing of most agricultural commodity contracts. He proposed government agencies with the authority to regulate over the counter derivatives.

  He hoped the government will pass the proposed Food Security Bill while ensuring adaptation of a life cycle approach with special attention to the first 1000 days in a child’s life. . “But these days, awareness and analysis are going well but no actions are being taken.” he observed.

  The annual session and symposium of NASI will end tomorrow with Children’s Science Meet and Valedictory Session.

VC exhorts youngsters to initiate discussions

VC exhorts youngsters to initiate discussions

   Remya Nair

Vice chancellor Prof. A. Jayakrishnan asked the scientific community to initiate serious discussions on biodiversity. This is essential to understand the relation between  development and the ecological balance. He added that the youngsters  must have a  better knowledge about biodiversity as they have to preserve it for the future. He also pointed out that the University had conducted various seminar in the Biodiversity Year 2010 and Forestry Year 2011. 

     He claimed that successful organisation of National Science Congress in 2010 has encouraged NASI to organise a big seminar and symposium here, in the Kerala University. We have arranged all the facilities to all the dignitaries and delegates. Kerala University is planning to conduct Global Education Meet along with  Kerala State Department of Education.   University is also planning to conduct more programmes in the Biodiversity decade.

  According to Prof. Jayakrishnan, big events like this will provide an opportunity to the faculties in the university to interact with great personalities like Dr.Kasthurirangan  and  Dr M.S Swaminathan. This will also encourage our students to take up new programmes.

  He observed that now a days there is a trend among the youngsters to choose professional courses ignoring science stream which is not a good sign. As 21st century is the century of science and technology, we must have a good grounding about it. He hopes that events like this will motivate young students to choose science subjects and make a career in this field. “Our aim is not to generate a brain power in science but to generate a scientific temper”, he added.