Pawar mourns death of Norman Borlaug

NEW DELHI - Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar Sunday mourned the death of eminent American agricultural scientist and Nobel laureate Norman E. Borlaug, who helped pioneer the Green Revolution in India.

“Recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize and the Padma Vibhushan, Borlaugh’s contribution will always be remembered for the world peace he heralded through increasing food supply and saving over 245 million lives worldwide,” Pawar said in his tribute.

“India amongst many other nations of the world owes a debt of gratitude to this outstanding personality.”

Borlaug, who played a major role in developing disease-resistant wheat used to fight famine in poor countries, died at the age of 95 in Texas, US.

“In the death of Norman Borlaug, the world today has lost not only an eminent agriculture scientist but a man dedicated to the cause of humanity. Father of the Green Revolution, Norman Borlaugh is credited with what he himself described as a temporary success in man’s war against hunger and deprivation,” the minister said.

“As India moves towards the second Green Revolution, his enduring vision will be a source of inspiration and sustenance for all of us,” Pawar said.

“Having known him since 1974, it is with a profound sense of personal grief that I mourn his passing away. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends in their moment of irreparable loss,” the minister said.