Indian dignitaries and guests celebrate the life and work of Norman E. Borlaug

During 21-22 November, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) hosted a major tribute ceremony for Norman E. Borlaug at its NASC complex in New Delhi. Some 200 participants attended the inaugural session, which featured a welcome and memorial address by Mangala Rai, secretary, Department of Agricultural Research and Education (DARE), ICAR director general and former CIMMYT Trustee. There were memorial addresses by T Nanda Kumar, secretary, Department of Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC); Mahmoud Solh, director general, ICARDA; M.S. Swaminathan, chairman, MSSRF; and K.V. Thomas, honorable minister of state (Agriculture).

Thomas Lumpkin’s presentation, entitled “India’s ‘Annadaata’ — Father of the Green Revolution,” was very well-received, according to global wheat program director Hans Braun. Braun, along with CIMMYT distinguished scientist Ravi Singh and Raj Gupta, South Asia coordinator, delivery and adaptation of cereal technology, took part in the tribute and the 1.5-day technical sessions on increasing wheat yields, controlling wheat rust diseases, promoting conservation agriculture, managing climate change and abiotic stresses, and wheat quality improvement. A valedictory function was attended as well by Sharad Pawar, minister of agriculture, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.