Kisan Diwas is celebrated every year on December 23 to honour the memory of India’s fifth Prime MInister Chaudhary Charan Singh. In 2001, the government of India announced Charan Singh’s birth anniversary as Kisan Diwas or National Farmer’s Day.

Charan Singh worked for the welfare of farmers in India and introduced several schemes that helped farmers to fight for their rights. It was 1939 when he initiated the Debt Redemption Bill that helped farmers to deal with moneylenders. He, later, abolished the Zamindari system in 1952 as the Agriculture Minister of India.

Indian farmers honoured with Padma Shri

On the occasion of Kisan Diwas 2021, here’s a look at Indian farmers who have been honoured with Padma Shri.

Kamala Pujari

Hailing from Koraput Odisha, Kamala Pujari is known for promoting organic farming in India. The 60-year-old tribal agricultural activist was appointed as a member of the Odisha Planning Board in 2018. She was honoured with Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award in 2019. Pujari also bagged the Best Farmer Award by the Odisha Government in 2004.

Hukumchand Patidar

Hukumchand Patidar is a farmer from Manipura village in Rajasthan who spread Rajasthan’s Swami Vivekanand Agricultural Research Farm over 40 acres. In 2018, he received the Padma Shri for his efforts in organic farming.

Ram Saran Verma

A resident of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Ram Saran Verma travelled across India and interacted with farmers and experts and became one of the first farmers in the state to start tissue culture for banana farming. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2019.

Vallabhbhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya

Gujarat’s Vallabhbhai Vasrambhai Marvaniya was the first farmer to introduce carrots in the state. Apart from Padma Shri, he was also awarded the 9th National Grassroots Innovation Award.

Rajkumari Devi

Also known as Kisan Chachi, Rajkumari Devi was a Bihari farmer who cycled through several villages and promoted kitchen farming. She also encouraged women to form self-help groups and be financially independent through farming.

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