‘Family plays a big role in one’s happiness’

Titles like international geneticist, the ‘Father of the Indian Green Revolution’; honours like the Padma Vibhushan; an awe-inspiring work and travel schedule that includes fulfilling invitations from Heads of State; all these, at 91, to Swaminathan, are “just a part of this journey called life”!

His eyes light up when he says, “Bhutan has got it right when they talk of Gross National Happiness (GNH). They asked me for suggestions on GNH. I told them that it goes beyond economics. It is what people feel through the influences of culture, music, spirituality, morality, work, work ethic…relationships…all of these. Happiness is an attitude.” 

Even as I wonder how he is so much at peace with himself, he explains, “Family plays a big role in your happiness. Although I lost my father when I was only 11, my family has helped me do whatever I loved doing. First it was my uncle, then it was my wife Mina and then my three daughters.” 

Quoting French philosopher Marquis de Condorcet, Swaminathan says, “Population will stabilise itself if children are born for happiness – not by chance, but by choice.” The World Happiness Report 2016 ranks India at 118th position among 156 countries surveyed. Swaminathan refers to this report and believes we need a reorientation of our value systems to shift the focus from material wealth to happiness arising from the joy of sharing and caring. 

Swaminathan says he’s enjoyed every moment of the ‘62 years of adventure’ he’s had with agricultural research. Along the way, watching his daughters grow up and settle down, seeing his wife find joy in whatever she chose to do, reading Aurobindo and Ramana Maharishi – all these make him happy. 

Has he thought of how he may be remembered? He laughs. “There are more than 7 billion people in the world. 100,000 may know me at present. I am not sure anyone will want to remember me. My work too may become obsolete as newer research arrives. My family may remember me for a few more years, perhaps. But it doesn’t matter. The whole world thrives on receding memory!” 

Humility and divinity truly converge in Prof. Swaminathan. Maybe that’s why he’s so happy, so peaceful – and so successful?