29-09 2022 10:12
wrote:
Dr Les Swindale (popularly known as LDS) was the second DG after I joined ICRISAT. Dr Cummings had agreed to be the first DG, but he retired after his first term of 5 years in 1977, and LDS became the DG.
He was the main architect to build ICRISAT from the initial phase that Dr Ralph Cummings had laid the foundation. LDS expanded ICRISAT activities from its HQ in India and Asia to sub-Saharan Africa where persistent hunger and poverty were major challenges for many research and development agencies and institutions. He was able to negotiate with the donor community the urgent need to address the issues of hunger and malnutrition in many regions of SSA, including Western Africa, Eastern Africa and Southern Africa. He thus established Regional Offices in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mali and Niger in West Africa; Ethiopia and Kenya in East Africa and in Malawi and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa.
Overall, he was an exceptional visionary and a kind human being who began the war against poverty and malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. He built up the scientific manpower across the regions to address the issues of appropriate soil and water management practices needed in the sub-tropics and crop improvement research that was needed to increase crop productivity in those harsh environments.
LDS was considered a strict disciplinarian, and many staff were scared to approach him. However, he was kind hearted and listened to the needs of staff welfare and ensured that the concerns were addressed expeditiously. Many of the staff welfare reforms and personnel policies were initiated by him. Many of the young scientists remember him passionately for the support he offered to enhance their academics and professional careers
He took keen interest in making the Campus attractive and beautiful and ensured that the landscaping was such that when staff came in the morning each day, they would forget their personal worries and put their best efforts in research and administration. LDS also oversaw the construction of the campus buildings (staff were housed in the Manmool village, rented buildings in Patancheru and Hyderabad city). The Konark wheel at ICRISAT reminds us of LDS and his contributions that are Eternal.
CL Laxmipathi Gowda, Ph D.
Former Deputy Director General- ICRISAT
29-09 2022 10:12
wrote:
Dr Les Swindale (popularly known as LDS) was the second DG after I joined ICRISAT. Dr Cummings had agreed to be the first DG, but he retired after his first term of 5 years in 1977, and LDS became the DG.
He was the main architect to build ICRISAT from the initial phase that Dr Ralph Cummings had laid the foundation. LDS expanded ICRISAT activities from its HQ in India and Asia to sub-Saharan Africa where persistent hunger and poverty were major challenges for many research and development agencies and institutions. He was able to negotiate with the donor community the urgent need to address the issues of hunger and malnutrition in many regions of SSA, including Western Africa, Eastern Africa and Southern Africa. He thus established Regional Offices in Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Mali and Niger in West Africa; Ethiopia and Kenya in East Africa and in Malawi and Zimbabwe in Southern Africa.
Overall, he was an exceptional visionary and a kind human being who began the war against poverty and malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. He built up the scientific manpower across the regions to address the issues of appropriate soil and water management practices needed in the sub-tropics and crop improvement research that was needed to increase crop productivity in those harsh environments.
LDS was considered a strict disciplinarian, and many staff were scared to approach him. However, he was kind hearted and listened to the needs of staff welfare and ensured that the concerns were addressed expeditiously. Many of the staff welfare reforms and personnel policies were initiated by him. Many of the young scientists remember him passionately for the support he offered to enhance their academics and professional careers
He took keen interest in making the Campus attractive and beautiful and ensured that the landscaping was such that when staff came in the morning each day, they would forget their personal worries and put their best efforts in research and administration. LDS also oversaw the construction of the campus buildings (staff were housed in the Manmool village, rented buildings in Patancheru and Hyderabad city). The Konark wheel at ICRISAT reminds us of LDS and his contributions that are Eternal.
CL Laxmipathi Gowda, Ph D.
Former Deputy Director General- ICRISAT
