Bhubaneswar, July 20: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Saturday expressed his deep grief over the demise of Odisha's noted organic farmer and Padma Shri awardee Kamala Pujari. 

"I am saddened to hear the news of the passing away of Odisha's pride and Padma Shri awardee Kamala Pujari. She set an example in the country to preserve different types of grain. Coming from a tribal community, her extraordinary contribution to agriculture, especially organic farming, will always be remembered. I express my condolences to the bereaved family. May the departed soul rest in peace! Om Shanti," Pradhan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Eminent agriculturist and Padma Shri awardee Kamala Pujari breathed her last this morning while undergoing treatment at the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. She was 74.

Born in Patraput village of Baipariguda block in Koraput district, Pujari was a promoter of organic farming and had harvested around 100 varieties of rice. She was associated with the M S Swaminathan Research Foundation.

Pujari was conferred with the Padma Shri in 2019 by the then President Ramnath Kovind. She was a member of the state planning board in 2018 and was conferred with the best farmer award by the Odisha government in 2004.

She also won the 'Equator Initiative Award' in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.

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