(Moderator's Note: The author of this reply Mr Narendra is Former Information Advisor to Prime Minister of India. He was the Chief Spokesperson of Government of India and worked with four Prime Ministers (Naraismha Rao, Vajpayee, Deve Gowa and I K Gujral)
Dear Mr Rajashekhar:
Glad that the centenary of CS is being observed. He spawned the green Revolution but unlucky not to be credited with it and be in office to see the fruits of his efforts. His vision was in many directions. But the Centenary to my mind should singularly focus on Agriculture that touches the lives of millions and vital of India's continued growth and development.
Especially agricultural sciences that includes Space tech/Meteorology/BT/application of nulcear Tech. CS was a man of Science. At least one krishi ratna Award deserves to be named after CS.
This is just a thought.
Regds.
narendra
2009/1/23 Rajsekar Subramaniam <ssrajsekar@gmail.com >
Dear Friends,
My late father C. Subramaiam's centenary year commences on 30th January 2009 and culminates on 30th January 2010. Many of his friends and admirers have suggested that his centenary year should be marked by many meaningful events at regular intervals – events linked to the many causes and institutions with which he had been associated. A major event in Delhi on 30th January 2010 could be a fitting finale.
Just to refresh our memory, I am tempted to recall briefly the highlights of my father's illustrious public life. Giving up a lucrative law practice and plunging into the freedom struggle; membership in the Constituent Assembly and contribution in shaping the Constitution of India; a ten year tenure as the Minister of Finance, Education and Law under two stalwart Chief Ministers of the then Madras State, Rajaji and Kamaraj; Union Minister in varied fields – Finance, Food and Agriculture, Planning, Defence, Steel and Heavy Industries, and Science and Technology – under Jawahar Lal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, and Indira Gandhi; Chairman of Agriculture Commission; Chairman of Aeronautics Commission; Governor of Maharashtra and President of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan world wide.
Some of his major contributions to Tamilnadu deserve recall: Solid foundation for the expansion of education; introduction of Noon Meal Scheme in the schools; development of Tamil as language of administration and instructions; facilitating several major irrigation projects; catalyzing the establishment of I.I.T Madras, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Institute of Mathematical Sciences and the Madras Institute of Development Studies (MIDS); and a spirit of graciousness and dignity in dealing with political opponents.
At the all-India level, he will be gratefully remembered as the Architect of India's Green Revolution, which transformed the country from a precarious "ship-to-mouth" existence to food surplus. As a major political administrator, he revamped steel mills to higher levels of productivity; helped establish many units of B.H.E.L; set up the Food Corporation of India (a kingpin in the country's food security machinery); drew up the first Science and Technology plan for the country; articulated the first national security strategy; initiated an integrated rural development strategy; professionalised the management of the institutions of agricultural research and of the other national science research institutions, introducing coordination and synergy; and gave a fillip to dairy development leading to a successful White Revolution.
At the international level, the paper he had prepared on 'Child Nutrition' for the U.N Secretary General is still considered a classic. He had been elected in his personal capacity to the Board of Governors of the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), Manila, Philippines and the International Maize and Wheat Research Institute (CIMMYT), Mexico which positions he held for a period of six years.
At the age of eighty, he was requested by the then Prime Minister of India to assume the Governorship of Maharashtra State. In his book, the eminent jurist Nani Palkiwala has referred to my father as an ideal Governor. He was the Vice President of Bharaitya Vidya Bhavan worldwide for a period of ten years before becoming its President in the year 1990 which position he held till he passed away in the year 2000. During his Presidentship, Bhavan's involvement in the field of Education increased considerably. Reaching free computer education to poor youngsters and special emphasis on Gandhian Studies were some landmarks during this period.
When he turned ninety, my father who always used to shun celebrations decided to establish National Agro Foundation (NAF) as a Public Charitable Trust, aimed at multi-pronged rural development encompassing agricultural development, cattle development, literacy, health, sanitation, self-help groups and training. NAF is carrying on his mission, having adopted over 60 villages and introducing and sustaining technology based development initiatives.
My father took keen interest in both cricket and tennis. He was the President of the All India Lawn Tennis Association for two terms.
While my father shied away from awards and honours, they did wash his shores: U Thant Peace Award, Borlaug Award and Y.B. Chavan Award for National Integration – to name a few. Special mention should be made of the highest civilian honour of Bharat Ratna.
I believe we should join hands in honouring his memory. As the first event in a chain of events to follow, an endowment lecture on 'Science and Development' will be delivered by Dr. Ramasami, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India on 30th January 2009 under the auspices of the Department of Tamil of the University of Madras, under an Endowment established by my cousin Dr. K S Subramanian. Time and venue are as follows:
Time: Friday 30th January 2009 – 4.00p.m.
Venue: Platinum Jubilee Auditorium
(Pavazha Vizha Arangu)
University of Madras
Marina Campus
(Opp. Thiruvallur Statue)
I would request you to treat this as a personal invitation from me and be present on this important occasion on Friday 30th January 2009.
With warm regards,
Rajsekar.
--
S S Rajsekar
Director
Chennai Consultancy Services Pvt Ltd
481-A Mount Road, Chennai 600 035
Tel: +91 44 42131237(office)
Fax: +91 44 2431 0050
Mobile: +91 9841052212
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