Shillong, October 15, 2025: As part of the preparations for the fifth edition of the Shillong Literary Festival 2025 — scheduled to be held from November 20–22 at Ward’s Lake — Meghalaya Tourism organized a special program at IIM Shillong, where author Priyambada Jayakumar launched her book “Swaminathan: The Man Who Fed India.”
The event was graced by Prof. Nalini Prava Tripathy, Director-in-Charge of IIM Shillong, and Dr. Teidorlang Lyngdoh.
Speaking at the event, Jayakumar reflected on the importance of telling the story of Dr. M. S. Swaminathan, the architect of India’s Green Revolution. She observed that while today’s India may not face the same hunger and inequality as the 1960s, it continues to encounter different forms of pressure and challenges reminiscent of that period.
“Very little is known about Dr. Swaminathan beyond his scientific achievements. My aim was to uncover the human side of his journey — his emotions, personal experiences, and the relationships that shaped him,” she said.
During her research, Jayakumar discovered several lesser-known aspects of Swaminathan’s life, including his presence at Birla House when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated and his close friendship with Indira Gandhi. She also highlighted his role in introducing “magic seeds” to farmers and his efforts to promote women’s empowerment in agriculture.
Through the book, Jayakumar seeks to portray Swaminathan not only as a pioneering scientist but as a deeply patriotic individual guided by compassion and a lifelong devotion to India. “His greatest love was for his country, and every action he took was driven by that love,” she added.
The event concluded with an engaging interactive conversation between Jayakumar and Dr. Teidorlang Lyngdoh, during which students from IIM Shillong actively participated and posed insightful questions about Dr. Swaminathan’s legacy and the making of the book.
The Shillong Literary Festival 2025 aims to celebrate literature, art, and ideas by bringing together writers, poets, and thought leaders from across India in a vibrant three-day cultural exchange at one of the city’s most picturesque venues.
