Wayanad: It was an emotional moment for Padma Shri award winner and noted seed conservationist Cheruvayal Raman, fondly known as Rametta, as he welcomed Priyanka Gandhi, the Wayanad MP, to his home in Kammana on Monday. For Raman, the visit was especially meaningful— meeting the granddaughter of his revered leader Indira Gandhi, who, he said, interacted with him "like a daughter."

Priyanka, currently on a personal outreach visit across her constituency, spent nearly three hours with Raman, learning about traditional paddy cultivation, bio-farming methods, and the challenges faced by the region’s farming communities.

Speaking to Onmanorama, Raman said that Priyanka interacted with him "like a daughter" and described the meeting as heart-touching. "We went to the paddy field, and she asked many questions, which I answered," he said.

A ardent fan of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, Raman said the visit was a moment of deep personal significance. "It was a day of fulfilment for me which I will never forget," he said. He also shared fond memories of his earlier visit to New Delhi with his wife, including a stop at Teen Murti Bhavan, the official residence of Jawaharlal Nehru, which now houses a museum dedicated to India’s first Prime Minister. 

An inquisitive learner, Priyanka Gandhi showed keen interest in Raman’s vast collection of traditional paddy seeds, asking numerous questions about their cultivation and preservation. Raman also shared the challenges faced by tribal communities and traditional paddy farmers, particularly in sustaining indigenous farming practices amid modern pressures.

Meanwhile, Priyanka briefly tried her hand at archery, using the bow and arrow traditionally used by Wayanad’s tribal communities. Seated with Ramettan at his thatched home, she also sampled a traditional tribal meal that included elephant foot yam and the fiery bird’s eye chilli.

Priyanka Gandhi is on a weeklong visit to the constituency for interactions with prominent personalities to collect information regarding essential developmental projects. During the last few days, she visited writer MN Karassery at his home in Kozhikode, Dr AP Abdul Hakkim Ashari, director of Markaz, and the son of AP Kanthapuram Abubacker Musliyar, an influential leader of Sunni Muslims of Kerala.