Gangtok: A 98-year-old organic farmer from  Assam Lingzey village in Pakyong district remained the only nominee from Sikkim for the Padma Shri Award in 2023.

Tula Ram Upreti  is a pioneer in the cultivation of paddy and other vegetables without the use of fertilizers.

He promotes  Sikkim’s tradition of organic farming.

According to his family members, he only stopped working about five or six years ago due to a recurring knee problem, reports East Mojo.

Upreti cultivated his 12-hectare field using only his bare hands and domestic cattle, along with the help of assistants. He grew various crops such as paddy, fresh vegetables, buckwheat, and maize, reports the news portal.

His daughter-in-law, Sunita Upreti, told East Mojo, “Upon hearing the news yesterday, we as a family wanted to be sure of his accomplishments before making him understand what award he was receiving. We received a call from the Home Ministry on Wednesday afternoon. Around early evening, we received similar confirmation from the Chief Minister’s office and later from the Pakyong District Collector. Today, he has been invited by the DC to be part of the Republic Day celebration where he was felicitated. The family has been jubilant about his achievement, given how even as a 98-year-old he is making his family proud and giving us a legacy to hold on to.”