MS Swaminathan Papers

Content Description

The accession contains materials that of M.S. Swaminathan and the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF). It includes research material in the form of research notes and data, correspondence, print media clippings, photographs, and awards of both M.S. Swaminathan and the Foundation. Research material include reports, annotated drafts and unpublished manuscripts. Correspondence spans M.S. Swaminathan’s tenure at various institutions such as the Indian Agricultural Research Institute, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, International Rice Research Institute to name a few. Administrative material in the form of reports and memoranda have been kept from twenty two government institutions and international organizations. Swaminathan’s draft reports, publications, lectures and talks have also been kept. While the photographic material in this collection largely document events Swaminathan from across Swaminathan’s career and programmes hosted at the MSSRF, some photographs are personal in nature - documenting his travels and family. A small portion of ephemera has also been retained in the form of greeting cards and invitations. A selection of print media material from magazines, newspapers and periodicals have been retained both in bound volumes and loose sheets organized chronologically. Copies were removed in the process. Swaminathan’s unpublished writing in the form of draft reports and publications have been retained as well as published material including books, journal articles, reprint volumes and committee reports have been incorporated into the collection. A catalogue of published references not authored by M.S. Swaminathan has been created but will not be entering the archive since copies of these references are available through library resources. However, a selection of rare research references have been retained and organized into the last series.

Condition Description

The collection is in good condition except for a few photographic albums and newspaper clipping selections that require conservation

Accession Date

2021-08-05

Dispostion

The first accession of the MS Swaminathan papers has two components. It includes material that was previously processed at MSSRF in Chennai by Sangeetha D in 2020. Additionally, it includes material which was processed at the Archives at NCBS by Sanjna GY and Ravi KB in 2021. The decision was made to merge these two components to form the first accession at the Archives at NCBS. The Archives at NCBS has decided to keep the collection of MS Swaminathan due to its relevance for studying agricultural histories

Acquisition Type

Gift

Provenance

The collection contains papers of M.S. Swaminathan. The material was initially located at three spaces within the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation in Chennai: Dr. Parasuraman’s cabin (Principal Scientist associated with Coastal Systems Research at the Foundation and formerly, the personal secretary of M.S. Swaminathan until 2013), the Bhoothalingam library, and office of the Chairperson at the Foundation. These records were first arranged at MSSRF. The Trustees of MSSRF then decided to donate the material to the Archives at NCBS, and so it was moved in two large accessions to the Archives at NCBS in 2020 (the first semi-arranged accession) and 2021 (arrived as an unprocessed collection).

Language of Description

English

Script of Description

Latin

Restrictions Apply

No

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for access unless mentioned in specific folders of the finding aid.