Padma Shri Awardee Kamala Pujari’s last rites conducted with full state honours honours

The last rites of Padma Shri Awardee Kamala Pujari, who passed away following a cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment at SCB Medical College and Hospital (MCH), were conducted at her native Patraput village in Jeypore in Koraput district on Sunday with full state honours.

In the presence of the District Collector Keerthi Vasan V, SP Abhinav Sonkar and other senior officials, the last rites of the Padma Awardee were conducted by her son Tankadhar Pujari. 

Family members and villagers termed her demise as an irreparable loss for the entire state.

Acclaimed for her contributions to organic farming and the conservation of native paddy varieties, Kamala Pujari was admitted to SCB due to health-related issues. However, the tribal lady died due to cardiac arrest while undergoing treatment on Saturday.

Her mortal remains were later taken to Jeypore from where it was taken around the town in a procession. Hundreds of locals paid their last respects for her contribution to Odisha before her last rites were performed in her village.

Notably, Kamala Pujari was honoured with Padma Shri for her contribution to agriculture and harvesting nearly 100 types of rice using biological methods. She is known for preserving hundreds of indigenous varieties of rice and other grain seeds, besides promoting organic farming and her contribution to the future of food security and environmental protection by creating awareness.