Padma Shri Awardee Kamala Pujari passes away at 74

New Delhi [India], July 20 (ANI): Padma Shri Awardee Kamala Pujari on Saturday passed away at 74. Prominent leaders from across the country including Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over her demise.
Taking to social media platform, the Prime Minister said, "Pained by the passing away of Smt. Kamala Pujari Ji. She made a monumental contribution to agriculture, particularly boosting organic agricultural practices and protecting indigenous seeds. Her work in enriching sustainability and protecting biodiversity will be remembered for years. She was also a beacon in empowering tribal communities. Condolences to her family and admirers. Om Shanti."
"She made a monumental contribution to agriculture, particularly boosting organic agricultural practices and protecting indigenous seeds," the Prime Minister said.
Meanwhile, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal also expressed grief saying, "Saddened by the passing away of renowned agriculturist Padma Shri Smt. Kamala Pujari Ji. Her lifelong endeavor to preserve indigenous knowledge in agriculture is now a national legacy. Her contributions to promoting sustainable practices and the conservation of biodiversity are unparalleled. My heartfelt condolences to her family and followers. Om Shanti!"
Union Minister for Minority Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju also condoled her demise and wrote on X,"Saddened by the passing of Padma Shri Smt. Kamala Pujari ji. Her monumental contributions to agriculture, especially in organic farming & protecting indigenous seeds, will be remembered. Her work in sustainability & biodiversity has left an enduring legacy. My heartfelt condolences to her family & admirers."
Kamala Pujari was a native of Patraput village in Jeypore block. She had received the Padma Shri award in 2019 for her contribution to the field of agriculture in organic farming. In 2002, she received the Equator Initiative Award at Johannesburg in South Africa for preserving indigenous varieties of paddy. (ANI)