Norman Ernest Borlaug was awarded the _____ in 1970 for his contributions to the green revolution.

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) Nobel Peace Prize.

Norman Ernest Borlaug, an American agronomist and humanitarian, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1970 for his significant contributions to the Green Revolution. His work in developing high-yielding, disease-resistant wheat varieties helped to combat hunger and improve food security, particularly in developing countries like India, Mexico, and Pakistan. His efforts played a crucial role in preventing widespread famine and malnutrition.

Information Booster:

• Green Revolution refers to the period in the 1960s and 1970s when agricultural productivity increased dramatically due to the introduction of high-yield crop varieties, chemical fertilizers, and advanced farming techniques.
• Borlaug's research in wheat breeding led to the development of semi-dwarf wheat varieties, which were resistant to diseases like rust.
• His innovations were widely adopted in India and Pakistan, leading to self-sufficiency in food production.
• Due to his immense impact, he is often called the "Father of the Green Revolution."
• Borlaug believed that agricultural advancements were key to ensuring world peace, which justified his recognition with the Nobel Peace Prize rather than a science-based Nobel award.

Important Facts About the Nobel Prize

The Nobel Prize is one of the most prestigious international awards, recognizing outstanding contributions in various fields. It was established by Alfred Nobel, a Swedish inventor, engineer, and industrialist, best known for inventing dynamite.

Categories of Nobel Prizes

The Nobel Prizes are awarded in the following six categories:

1. Nobel Prize in Physics – For groundbreaking discoveries in physics.
2. Nobel Prize in Chemistry – For exceptional contributions to chemistry.
3. Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine – For advancements in medical and biological sciences.
4. Nobel Prize in Literature – For outstanding literary work.
5. Nobel Peace Prize – For significant efforts in promoting world peace.
6. Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (introduced in 1968) – Awarded for contributions to economics.

Key Facts About the Nobel Prize

• First awarded in 1901.
• The prizes are awarded annually on December 10, the death anniversary of Alfred Nobel.
• The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, Norway, while all other Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm, Sweden.
• The youngest Nobel laureate is Malala Yousafzai, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 at the age of 17.
• Marie Curie is the only person to have won two Nobel Prizes in different scientific fields (Physics in 1903 and Chemistry in 1911).
• The first Indian to win a Nobel Prize was Rabindranath Tagore in 1913 (Literature).
• The first Asian to win a Nobel Prize in Science was C.V. Raman (Physics, 1930).
• The first Indian woman to win a Nobel Prize was Mother Teresa (Peace, 1979).
• Amartya Sen was the first Indian to win the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences (1998).
• Abhijit Banerjee (Indian-American) won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2019 along with Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer.

Interesting Facts & Records

• The Nobel Prize cannot be awarded posthumously (after death), unless the laureate passes away after being announced as a winner.
• The Red Cross has won the Nobel Peace Prize three times (1917, 1944, 1963).
• Mahatma Gandhi was nominated five times for the Nobel Peace Prize but never won it.
• The smallest Nobel Prize category in terms of recipients is Economic Sciences, as it was introduced later.
• Some Nobel laureates have refused the award, including Jean-Paul Sartre (Literature, 1964) and Le Duc Tho (Peace, 1973).