'Padma Shri won't help make ends meet'; Cheruvayal Raman battling penury

KAMMANA: “Padma Shri award will do nothing to fill our stomachs. We should do toiling work to make ends meet. I’m now 75 and it is over. I can’t do it anymore.” says Cheruvayal K.Raman, tribal farmer and conservator of heritage organic rice seeds. The country honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2023. Sitting in the courtyard of an old dilapidated house in Mananthavady Kammana, Wayanad, Raman, in a solemn tone, talked about his ordeals.

"Hay in own farm is not enough so I’m buying it from outside for Rs 70 per bundle. At least three hundred knots will be needed. When it rains, the water gets into my house. Inside the house, I have four almirahs and even it is not enough to store all the awards I received throughout my life.” says Raman.

Raman had about 60 heirloom rice seeds. Many inveigled him into giving them the seeds so they could grow it double and return it to him. Sadly, those people never came back.

Raman’s children Ramani, Ramesan, Rajesh and Rajitha are living on their own and already have their share of hardships to deal with.

Raman about taking classes on traditional rice seed conservation:

“Sometimes I feel like not giving those classes. But how can I say no when they come to pick me up? Some people even won’t pay the travel expense. I have no complaints. It is too late to change anything so let life take its course”