Dilbagh Singh Athwal Biography 
Dilbagh Singh Athwal was an Indian scientist and researcher associated with agriculture. He was an Indian geneticist, plant breeder and agriculturist by profession. He is best remembered for his pioneering research works in plant breeding. He is also credited to revolutionizing wheat production in India, and hence called ‘Father of Wheat Revolution’. He was instrumental in developing world’s first grain pearl millet hybrid ‘Hybrid Bajra 1’ in 1965, ‘PV 18’ in 1966 and the most popular amber grained wheat variety ‘Kalyansona’ in 1967. Government of India awarded him with Padma Bhushan in 1975, for his contributions to biological science.
The scientist Dilbagh Singh Athwal, fondly called D. S. Athwal was born on 12 October 1928 in Kalyanpur, Punjab. He was one of the stalwarts who played a pivotal role in initiating Green Revolution in the country. He developed world’s first grain pearl millet hybrid ‘Hybrid Bajra 1’ in 1965, followed by ‘PV 18’ in 1966 and wheat variety ‘Kalyansona’ in 1967. When he developed ‘Hybrid Bajra 1’ in 1965, it heralded a new era in cultivation of this important crop. Kalyansona was named after Kalyanpur, the birthplace of this renowned scientist. Punjab is also described as the ‘Green Revolution’ state of India. The state heralded India’s campaign to ensure food grain security for the country in the 1960s.
In 1967, he joined the management of International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines, and later became its first Deputy Director General. He introduced many innovations in rice breeding while he was working in IRRI. University of Sydney honoured him with the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in 1955. ‘Dr. D.S. Athwal International Guest House’ is named after him. In 1964, he received Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, followed by the civilian honour of the Padma Bhushan in 1975.
He was the founder head of Department of Plant Breeding in Punjab Agricultural University, where he served as a professor as well. In association with Norman Borlaug, the renowned biologist and Nobel Laureate, he introduced several high-yielding dwarf varieties of wheat. After his retirement, he settled in New Jersey, US. He died in New Jersey in 2017 aged 88. He developed numerous genetic stocks which paved way for significant future researches on bajra breeding and genetics.
Published: January 28, 2019
Updated: January 31, 2019
