Chennai
Nel Jayaraman, 54, was receiving treatment at the Teynampet Apollo Cancer Hospital. His condition deteriorated on Wednesday and he died in the early hours of Thursday morning.
He had been suffering from cancer for the past 2 years.
Jayaraman started his journey with organic guru G Nammalwar and continued in his footsteps focusing on reviving traditional farming methods and preserving paddy seeds
'Honours'
He was named 'Nel' Jayaraman by farmers for preserving paddy seeds for more than 20 years.
In 2011, he received the State Award for best organic farmer.
He is a recipient of several prestigious awards like Krishi Ratna Award from Art of Living founder Pandit Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and Srishti Sanman award from the government of India.
Jayaraman is the State Co-ordinator of Save Our Rice Campaign. He also organized the first traditional paddy seed festival.
Tributes
தமிழர்களின் மரபும் வரலாறும் உணவுடன் உறவாடிக்கிடந்ததை உணர்ந்து, அதை மீட்டெடுத்து பாதுகாத்த திரு. நெல்.ஜெயராமன் அவர்களின் மறைவு நம் அனைவருக்கும் பேரிழப்பு. அவர் பாதுகாத்திட்ட பாரம்பரிய நெல் போல அவரின் சிந்தனையையும் செயலையும் நாம் ஒவ்வொருவரும் பாதுகாத்திட வேண்டும்.
He is survived by his wife and a 11 year old son.
Nel Jayaraman's mortal remains will kept for public homage till 5 pm today at his Rathna Nagar residence. Final rites are expected to take place tomorrow at his native village Kattimedu.
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