M S Swaminathan Research Foundation - MSSRF

16/03/2026

Remembering Mina Swaminathan Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MSSRF reflected on the enduring legacy of her mother, Mina Swaminathan. She played an influential role in the evolution of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), helping advance early childhood care and support women’s lives across India. Her work continues to shape policy, practice, and possibilities for generations of women across India.

In his inaugural address Arun Ram, Resident Editor, The The Times Of India talked of the role of institutions and media in shaping gender-sensitive narratives, with reflections on the importance of centering women’s experiences in journalism.

This set the context for the panel discussion, “Framing Gender: Storytelling Across Platforms,” with Hanne M. de Bruin, Saurabh Gupta, Aparna Karthikeyan, and Gayatri. The panel spoke of inclusion of women’s voices in the traditional art form - Kattaikkuttu, gender disparities in newsrooms, gaps in reporting on agrarian distress, the need to move beyond limiting portrayals of women, and the empowering role of community radio. Highlighting that gender-aware storytelling is central to responsible and inclusive communication.

Watch the panel discussion here: https://www.youtube.com/live/DAxu35LZFXk

16/03/2026

Timing updated to 2 PM today!
Join us for this session today at 2:00 PM on YouTube live: https://www.youtube.com/live/UrwuKl9a_pE

with Dr. Soumya Swaminathan!

On 16 March at 3:30 PM, Dr. Swaminathan will discuss MSSRF’s work on climate change, heat stress, and women’s labour. Participants are invited to submit questions during this interactive session.

Join via YouTube Live: https://youtube.com/live/UrwuKl9a_pE?feature=share

This session forms part of Reframing the Narrative: A Media Workshop on Gender and Agri-food Systems.

13/03/2026

with Dr. Soumya Swaminathan!

On 16 March at 3:30 PM, Dr. Swaminathan will discuss MSSRF’s work on climate change, heat stress, and women’s labour. Participants are invited to submit questions during this interactive session.

Join via YouTube Live: https://youtube.com/live/UrwuKl9a_pE?feature=share

This session forms part of Reframing the Narrative: A Media Workshop on Gender and Agri-food Systems.

12/03/2026

Marking : Pathways to Gender Justice

MSSRF hosted a webinar on Pathways to Achieve Gender Justice as part of our series. UN Women's Gender Policy Specialist, Ms. Maria Jones, unpacked global policy frameworks like CEDAW, the Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030), and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (1995) in the context of women in agri-food systems. She highlighted the Reach, Benefit, Empower Framework's power to design inclusive programs that boost 's agency.

"India is among the 15 countries where women in agri-food systems face the highest climate risk," Jones noted.

Dr. Divya Veluguri, Executive Director of Deccan Development Society, shared transformative practices from their work with Dalit and indigenous women farmer sanghams in Telangana. "When we come from a place of privilege, we tell stories of poverty. But when the women tell their stories, they tell stories of dignity," she said—stressing how women's contextual knowledge and community wisdom must shape solutions.

➡️ Watch the full webinar: https://youtu.be/cZ3kIB0SDvg?si=bl44Z_z3MPU1HdC9

11/03/2026

“If we see the villages today, women are taking on the majority of the burden of agriculture, in addition to household chores and childcare,” MSSRF trustee Prof. Nitya Rao said at a seminar on the empowerment of women farmers at the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. She commended Maharashtra’s efforts to promote women in agriculture and expressed optimism about the state’s leadership role going forward.

The event was attended by Hon'ble Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. Other dignitaries present included Legislative Council Chairman Prof. Ram Shinde, Assembly Speaker Adv. Rahul Narwekar, Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Sunetra Ajit Pawar, Deputy Chairperson of the Legislative Council Dr. Neelam Gorhe, MSSRF Chairperson Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, along with ministers and other legislators.

The event marked a step towards gender equality by highlighting the role and contributions of women farmers. It was also held in the context of the International Year of the Woman Farmer and International Women’s Day 2026.

Proud to support this milestone in agricultural empowerment and gender parity.

11/03/2026

Join us on 13 March for a seminar ‘When Water Becomes Reactive: Disintegration of Minerals in Microdroplets’ by Dr. Thalappil Pradeep, Institute Professor, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

This seminar will outline how charged water microdroplets could potentially act as a green factory, rapidly disintegrating common minerals into nanoparticles in milliseconds, effectively compressing geological time for sustainable materials discovery.

Register here: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/VFftt8eWv9 Zoom details will be shared with participants via email.

11/03/2026

Sankara Transgender Group Inaugurates Hook-and-Line Fish Outlet in Kasimedu!

This launch, part of MSSRF's Climate Smart Fishing Villages project supported by NABARD Online, promotes responsibly caught hook-and-line fish. It builds an inclusive, sustainable fisheries value chain—connecting women-led processing centers in Mayiladuthurai and Nagapattinam districts to Chennai's urban markets.

Inaugurated by Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MSSRF, alongside Ms. Sumitra, DDM, NABARD, Chennai, and Dr. Rengalakshmi, MSSRF Executive Director, MSSRF, the event drew over 150 fishers.

Video Source: PTI News

10/03/2026

Upcoming episode of Karmayogi Talks:
Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MSSRF, Former Chief Scientist, WHO and Former DG, ICMR, and Adil Zainulbhai, Former Chairman, Capacity Building Commission, on ‘Global Health Leadership in an Era of Pandemics and Climate Change.’

🗓️11 March, 9:30 AM
➡️Join the session live on the iGOT Events Hub here: https://portal.igotkarmayogi.gov.in/app/event-hub/home/do_1145247445374484481392?batchId=01452475196766617661

10/03/2026

This International Women's Day 2026, 'Phule Biohappiness Centre' was launched in Rahuri, by Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth (MPKV) in collaboration with MSSRF.

Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chairperson, MSSRF, connected virtually with Hon. Vice Chancellor Dr. Vilas K Kharche and his team to launch the initiative—the first in the state. Attendees included Dr. P.S. Bodake, Director of Research; Dr. G.K. Sasane, Director of Extn Education; Dr. S.B. Kharbade, Director of Instruction and Dean; Dr. R.V. Bhavani, Senior Fellow, MSSRF; and other MPKV scientists.

The Biohappiness Centre aims to promote sustainable ecological and human well-being through community-centred initiatives supported by appropriate technology and an inclusive approach. Discussions centred on Prof. M.S. Swaminathan’s vision of and potential implementation pathways.

09/03/2026

Happening today at 3:30 PM!

As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, MSSRF is hosting a webinar on 10th March from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM IST featuring two distinguished speakers who will share perspectives on advancing gender justice through both policy and practice.

Ms. Maria Jones, Gender Policy Specialist, UN Women will speak on Achieving Gender Justice through Public Policy

Dr. Divya Veluguri, Executive Director, Deccan Development Society will be speaking on Achieving Gender Justice through Transformative Practice

Each speaker will deliver a presentation, followed by an open Q&A session.

Joining details: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81674978463?pwd=CPsoRIbbt25iS9yZG5Kb5FbQh2SQog.1

Meeting ID: 816 7497 8463
Passcode: 177412

08/03/2026

As part of our International Women’s Day celebrations, MSSRF is hosting a webinar on 10th March from 3:30 PM to 4:30 PM IST featuring two distinguished speakers who will share perspectives on advancing gender justice through both policy and practice.

Ms. Maria Jones, Gender Policy Specialist, UN Women will speak on Achieving Gender Justice through Public Policy

Dr. Divya Veluguri, Executive Director, Deccan Development Society will be speaking on Achieving Gender Justice through Transformative Practice

Each speaker will deliver a presentation, followed by an open Q&A session.

Joining details: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81674978463?pwd=CPsoRIbbt25iS9yZG5Kb5FbQh2SQog.1

Meeting ID: 816 7497 8463
Passcode: 177412

04/03/2026

In our latest newsletter, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan highlights the vital role of community seed banks in preserving agricultural knowledge—and women's power as key conservators.

➡️ Dive in: https://mssrf.org/newsletter

Highlights:
• 10th Wayanad Community Seed Festival honours women seed keepers
• Unlocking AI's potential for women farmers at
• Fisheries Fair bridges science, policy, and
• Women farmers spotlighted at Maharashtra Stakeholder Consultation