<p>The article provides a bird’s-eye view of my research carried out in the last fifty years along with contributions of national and international collaborators. In the beginning, tissue and cell culture was used to raise transgenic rice tolerant to salt and water-deficit stress. Tomato transgenics were used to provide proof-of-concept towards development of plant-based vaccine against cholera. Structure and mechanism of regulation of gene expression of several plastome- and nuclear genome-encoded photosynthetic genes were deciphered unraveling major role of light-dependent and developmental cues. First successful Indian initiatives on genome-wide sequencing in rice, tomato and desi chickpea, representing a cereal, a vegetable and a pulse, respectively, were implemented. These three major groups of plants are responsible for our food and nutritional security. A large number of DNA markers were developed with genome-wide and pangenome approaches and used for genetic analysis of superior traits. This also gave an opportunity to analyse transcriptome and microRNome at genome-wide level. In particular, gene family analysis was performed from phylogenetic and expression perspectives for several regulatory components which helped annotate new genes and explore sub-functionalization. Based on expression pattern, promoters of anther- and seed-specific as well as stress-inducible genes were characterized and used to demonstrate their potential, e.g., in generating male-sterile lines in rice. Several novel genes were selected for structural/functional analysis in rice and chickpea on the basis of their expression pattern and/or genetic association. For this, both forward and reverse genetic approaches were used. Molecular basis of action of such genes was explored and their role in development (architecture, flower, anther, seed), nutrition and abiotic stress response was established. The information and resources generated were widely disseminated and have served for crop improvement widely.</p>