Priyanka Gandhi pays tribute to Cheruvayal Raman and visits family in Wayanad

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pays tribute to late Cheruvajal Raman at his residence in Wayanad on Thursday. | Photo credit: PTI

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday (November 12, 2026) paid an emotional visit to the family of renowned traditional farmer and Padma Shri awardee Cheruvayala Raman, who passed away last month, remembering him as a rare individual whose life was dedicated to the welfare of his community and the preservation of indigenous agricultural traditions.

Ms. Vadra, who is on a three-day visit to the Wayanad constituency, spent time with Raman’s family at their residence and inquired about their well-being.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Vadra described Vadra Raman as “a truly good man and a special soul” and said she was deeply saddened by his passing. Although she only met him in person once, the two kept in touch by phone, she said.

Recalling one of their conversations, Ms. Vadra said Raman told her that the many awards and honors he received meant little to him unless they translated into meaningful benefits for his community.

After Raman’s death on October 14, Ms. Vadra also paid tribute to him through a post on X, recalling the loving bond they shared.

Describing him as wise, dignified and courageous in thought and action, Mrs. Vadra said Raman always wanted a better future for his people and was not willing to settle for anything less.

Born on June 6, 1952, Raman belonged to the Kurichya tribal community and emerged as one of the foremost custodians of Kerala’s traditional agricultural heritage. He began focusing on agriculture at the age of 10, developing a lasting commitment to agriculture that eventually became the defining purpose of his life. Such was his determination that he turned down a government job in 1969 to pursue agriculture.

Raman has earned wide acclaim for conserving more than 45 native varieties of rice that were facing the threat of extinction. Through decades of painstaking work, he has protected these traditional seeds by following indigenous and organic farming practices, preserving an invaluable repository of agricultural biodiversity. His conservation efforts went beyond rice farming. He also maintained traditional varieties of vegetables, medicinal plants and several species of trees on his farm, turning it into a living repository of indigenous plant diversity.

Published – 13 Nov 2026 07:00 IST