Dr Leslie Denis Swindale

Saddened to hear the sad news. He was a great visionary leader and scientist, supported the poor farmers living in the semi-arid tropics. He has built the institute and taken care of welfare of the staff. My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. May his soul rest in peace.

It is a very sad news in the history of ICRISAT. With Dr Swindale'd departure, we lost one of the gentleman personality, an accomplished scientist, and a leader. I was fortunate to interact with him personally at ICRISAT, Patancheru, on several occasions, to discuss my trip reports to Africa. His remarks on some of my trip report are still with me. Later when he visited, ICRISAT-SADACC Zimbabwe and Zambia, he visited and appreciated my disease resistance screening initiatives in Golden Valley Zambia. The third and the last time, I met both Dr Swindale and Mrs Swindale was in Honolulu, and we were rejuvenating Memories of ICRISAT's formative years over a dinner hosted by him. May his soul rest in peace. We will miss you Dr. Swindale.

Dr Swindale holds a special place to me being the DG when I was a student at ICRISAT. He was instrumental in making ICRISAT‘s reputation.

Sad to learn the passing away of Dr Swindale, an icon who laid the foundation of a great institution and nurtured it. His tenure is remembered as the golden age of ICRISAT. Although the structure of ICRISAT then did not allow us to be in contact with him frequently, he was aware of our work and potential. I was fortunate to have his intervention that helped to avail a year-long sabbatical leave in 1989, nine years after joining ICRISAT. When I was selected as a Frosty Hill Fellow wherein CGIAR scientists spend time with a Cornell faculty on a research area of common interest. I approached the then Director of Crop Improvement Program to support me financially as the fellowship did not cover living expenses in the US. Dr Swindale asked me to prepare a budget for living in the US with my family and he immediately approved the financial grant. That helped me in accepting the fellowship. My family and I are grateful for that gesture from him. I met him last in 2011 in Honolulu where we went to attend a meeting. We spent about 2 hours talking reminiscing the past. May he rest in peace and condolences to the bereaved family.

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

Very sad to know this. May Almighty give peace to his noble soul and strength to Mrs Leslie Swindale to bear this loss with fortitude. Dr RS Paroda Former Board Chair and ICAR DG.

Dr Swindale joined as the second DG of ICRISAT in 1977, the formative stage of the Institute. Within a few years of his visionary leadership and administrative guidance, a strong foundation for scientific research was laid, and policies formulated for proper governance. We had excellent research facilities with well-established labs, greenhouses and fields for our experiments. Under his leadership ICRISAT became one of the top CG centers. There was no fund shortage for our research projects. He recognized scientific merits and always motivated and encouraged scientists to do innovative and path-breaking research. While visiting one of my field experiments he commented "If we cannot solve this problem here at ICRISAT, who else can". He wanted scientists to advance his knowledge and enhance professional skills by attending International conferences and short-term training programs in advanced labs. I was probably the first national scientist for whom he approved sabbatical leave in 1986. It was during his period (1977-1991) that the ICRISAT research program expanded in a big way in India and in several countries in Africa, and collaborative programs were established with the national programs and advanced labs in developed countries. This period could be called the Golden era of ICRISAT. He will be remembered as a visionary leader, able administrator, renowned scientist and a nice human being.

After joining the institute in June 1973, I had an opportunity to interact in person with Dr Swindale twice. First : To discuss regulations for swiming pool use at ICRISAT. Dr Swindale, then DG designate, was asked by Dr RW Cummings to address the issue. I was nominated from then Farming System Research Program (FSRP). The meeting took place in early 1977 at city office near old airport. There was divergent opinion that it should be available to all staff including daily workers. He very deftly handled the discussion to arrive to a consensus decision. Second : In early 1980, I was keen to do a PhD study and I got admission in IIT Kharagpur. When I applied for study leave it was refused by personnel division. I approached Dr Swindale and requested for it. He told me that there is no such provision in the Institute personnel policy. However, he was kind enough to consider my case and approve the same.