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March 4, 2010 - Ambassador Kenneth Quinn pays tribute to Borlaug, visits internship sites on trip to India
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| Amb. Quinn with Hon. Rita Sharma at the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences |
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| Amb. Quinn with ICRISAT Director General William Dar Photo courtesy of ICRISAT |
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| Amb. Quinn breaking a coconut after planting a sapling at ICRISAT. Photo courtesy of ICRISAT |
UPDATED March 4, 2010 -- World Food Prize President Ambassador Kenneth M. Quinn visited India between February 15 – 26, 2010, during which time he made two formal presentations about the life and work of Dr. Norman E. Borlaug. He also visited several international research centers which will act as host for the Borlaug-Ruan International Internship program.
At the invitation of Dr. MS Swaminathan, the first World Food Prize Laureate, Ambassador Quinn delivered the opening address at the international conference on “Biodiversity in relation to Food and Human Security in a Warming Planet” at the MS Swaminathan Research Center in Chennai on February 15. Read the remarks as prepared for delivery here.
An interview with Ambassador Quinn also ran in The Hindu, one of India’s leading newspapers.
On February 24, Ambassador Quinn was honored to be invited to give an address to the National Academy of Agricultural Science in New Delhi. Dr. Borlaug was an honorary member of the NAAS. Ambassador Quinn also visited the National Agricultural Museum of India as part of his research on the possible design of exhibits at the new Dr. Norman E. Borlaug Hall of Laureates in Des Moines. The Honorable Rita Sharma, the immediate past Secretary of Rural Development of the Indian government, graciously hosted a social event in Ambassador Quinn’s honor following his presentation at the NAAS.
While in India, Ambassador Quinn also visited the campus of ICRISAT in Hyderabad, where he was briefed by Director General William Dar on the extensive research being done by ICRISAT.
In Mumbai, Ambassador Quinn was greeted by Dr. B.R. Barwale, the 12th World Food Prize Laureate. They traveled together to the Mahyco research facility in Aurangabad headed by Dr. Usha Zehr.
At the Sehgal Family Foundation in Delhi, Ambassador Quinn was briefed by Director Jay Sehgal on the ongoing research and development efforts of their foundation in Mewat district, one of India’s poorest regions.
At all three locations, Ambassador Quinn held discussions about the placement of a World Food Prize Borlaug-Ruan International Intern in the near future.