Padma Shri awardee Cheruvayal Raman, known as 'living paddy gene bank', passes away at 74

Padma Shri award-winning tribal farmer Cheruvayal Raman, known for preserving over 60 varieties of paddy, passed away at the age of 74 on Wednesday. He died while undergoing cardio-related treatment at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. He was fondly known as 'Guardian of Native Paddy' and India's 'living paddy gene bank'. "Deeply saddened by the passing of Raman," Rahul Gandhi said.