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Prominent agriculture scientist MS Swaminathan and ace shuttler Saina Nehwal were today presented with the ‘Ambassadors of Goodwill’ award by International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (Icrisat).
Icrisat director general, William D Dar, presented the award to Swaminathan and Saina at an event organised at the institute here on Monday.
Icrisat Ambassadors of Goodwill are prominent individuals from the world of business, politics, art, entertainment, sports and other areas of public life. Some of the other prominent individuals distinguished with the award are Microsoft founder Bill Gates, former President of India APJ Abdul Kalam and former Prime Minister of New Zealand James Bolger.
“Ambassadors can voluntarily represent Icrisat at key functions and speak of its research and development works. They may also offer personal testimonies to Icrisat for use in promoting the cause and needs of the small land holding farmers in Asia and Africa,” Dar said.Describing the award as a great honour, Saina said she “would actively promote the cause of agriculture in whichever way she can”.
The father of India's Green Revolution, Swaminathan, has been instrumental in setting up the reputed institute in Hyderabad.
