2010 - C. Subramaniam Birth Centenary | Commemorative Coin

The 5th commemorative coin for the year 2010 was released to celebrate the Birth Centenary of Chidambaram Subramaniam.

Chidambaram Subramaniam (January 30, 1910 - November 7, 2000) was a distinguished Indian statesman, encompassing roles as a freedom fighter, state minister, central minister, and governor of a state. Renowned as the architect of India’s modern agricultural development policy, he played a pivotal role in achieving self-sufficiency in food production. In recognition of his outstanding contributions, he was conferred India's highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna, in 1998.

Subramaniam actively participated in the freedom struggle, enduring imprisonment, and later played a crucial role in the framing of the Indian Constitution as a member of the Constituent Assembly. Under the mentorship of Rajaji, he received comprehensive training in politics and administration. Serving as the Minister of Education, Law, and Finance in the Madras State from 1952 to 1962, he was also the Leader of the House in the Madras Legislative Assembly for a decade.

Elected to the Lok Sabha in 1962, Subramaniam held important portfolios such as Minister for Steel and Mines, Agriculture (where he spearheaded the Green Revolution in 1965), Finance, and Defence. Notably, he served as the finance minister during the emergency and held the position of deputy chairperson of the Planning Commission of India.

During the Congress split in 1969, Subramaniam aligned with Indira Gandhi, becoming the interim president of the faction she led. He supported her during the Emergency in 1975 but later joined the Congress (Urs) faction led by Devraj Urs. In 1990, he assumed the role of the Governor of Maharashtra, actively engaging with academics, industrialists, and civic leaders. However, he resigned following a controversy over a critical remark about the then Prime Minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao.

Best known for his instrumental role in India's Green Revolution, Subramaniam served as the Minister for Food and Agriculture, introducing high-yielding seed varieties and intensifying fertilizer application, leading to record wheat production in 1972. This initiative marked a turning point, paving the way for increased cereal output and achieving self-sufficiency in food grains.

In addition to his political endeavors, C. Subramaniam was a founder of the National Agro Foundation in Chennai and the Bharathidasan Institute of Management in Tiruchirappalli. His enduring legacy, marked by exceptional leadership and contributions to India's agricultural and economic development, earned him the Bharat Ratna in 1998.

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