Dr. Subbanna Ayyappan, a celebrated agricultural and fisheries scientist and recipient of the Padma Shri, was found dead in the Cauvery River near Sai Ashram in Srirangapatna, Karnataka. He was 70 years old.
According to police officials, Dr. Ayyappan had been missing since May 7 from his home in the Vishweshwara Nagar industrial area of Mysuru, where he lived with his wife. His disappearance was reported by his family at the Vidyaranapuram police station after three days of unsuccessful attempts to contact him.
His body was discovered on Saturday evening after locals alerted the police to an unidentified body in the river. Upon retrieval, police identified the body as that of Dr. Ayyappan. His scooter was also found abandoned on the riverbank, suggesting he may have arrived there alone.
The Srirangapatna police have registered a case and launched a full investigation. While preliminary enquiries suggest the possibility of suicide, officials have emphasized that only a thorough probe will confirm the actual cause of death.
Dr. Ayyappan is survived by his wife and two daughters.
A respected figure in the scientific community, Dr. Ayyappan held degrees in Fisheries Science and had served in multiple senior roles at national institutions. He was instrumental in driving India’s Blue Revolution, significantly advancing aquaculture and fisheries, and played a key role in enhancing agricultural productivity. For his groundbreaking contributions, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 2022.
As news of his death spread, tributes poured in from across the country, especially from the scientific and agricultural communities, who mourned the loss of a visionary leader in Indian agricultural innovation.