Grand Chennai Launch of The Man Who Fed India Honours the Legacy of Bharat Ratna Prof. M. S. Swaminathan
Chennai, November 2, 2025: The grand Chennai launch of The Man Who Fed India, the definitive biography of Bharat Ratna Prof. M. S. Swaminathan, authored by Priyambada Jayakumar and published by HarperCollins India, took place this evening at Taj Wellington Mews.
Dr. Kamal Haasan, Member of Parliament and Founder-President of Makkal Needhi Maiam, presided as Chief Guest and delivered the keynote address. Paying tribute to Prof. Swaminathan, Dr. Haasan said, “He belonged to a generation that saw liberty not as leisure, but as labour — the sacred duty of rebuilding a broken nation. Food for him was destiny — the destiny of a free and self-reliant India.”
Launch Youtube video Link ЁЯСЗ
A captivating fireside chat followed between Dr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Hon. Minister for Information Technology and Digital Services, Government of Tamil Nadu, and author Priyambada Jayakumar. The discussion offered a rare glimpse into the making of the biography, the personal inspirations behind it, and Prof. Swaminathan’s enduring impact on India’s agricultural and social landscape.
Reflecting on her subject, Jayakumar shared, “His life was a cauldron of stories — of resilience, of hope, and of an unshakable faith in the goodness of people. He believed in giving others a moment to shine and rise beyond their own widest dreams.”
The evening concluded with a book signing and high tea, attended by dignitaries, media representatives, and admirers of Prof. Swaminathan’s life and legacy.
A fitting tribute in his centennial year, The Man Who Fed India traces Prof. Swaminathan’s extraordinary journey — from his early years in Kumbakonam and collaboration with Nobel Laureate Norman Borlaug to his pivotal role in India’s Green Revolution. The book captures him as a visionary scientist, conservationist, Gandhian, and institution builder whose belief that “food is life, food is hope, food is dignity” continues to inspire generations.
Prof. Swaminathan’s legacy, immortalized in this powerful biography, reminds us of the man who helped transform India from a “begging bowl” to a “breadbasket,” ensuring millions their most essential freedom — freedom from hunger.
Book Details:
Title: The Man Who Fed India
Author: Priyambada Jayakumar
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Foreword by: Shashi Tharoor
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