A life-size statue of Norman Borlaug, the father of India's green revolution, was unveiled at the US Capitol, with top lawmakers and diplomats remembering his immense contribution in helping increase the agricultural yields and save a billion lives.
"He was a man who saved a billion lives," said Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Leader, during the statue unveiling ceremony, which among others was attended by House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
The Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia, Nisha Desai Biswal and US Ambassador to India Nancy Powell also attended the ceremony.
Pelosi described Borlaug as a hunger fighter.
"What a legacy for this humble farmer from Iowa -- this unlikeliest of revolutionaries, this man who changed the planet with a grain of wheat," the Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said.
"Dr Norman Borlaugh stands inspiration for me and for anyone who knows anything about him," said Reid before the unveiling of the statue.
Borlaug is one of only five people to have been honored with the Nobel Peace Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Medal of Honour.
A renowned agricultural scientist, born and raised in Iowa, Borlaug is often recognised for eradicating famine in Mexico, India and Pakistan during the mid-20th century with his development of a disease-resistant, high-yielding wheat.
Known as the Father of the Green Revolution, he is credited with saving more than 1 billion people from starvation in developing countries.
