Rice campaigner fights cancer to pursue his passion

Chennai: When R. Jayaraman, a 51-year-old farmer from Thiruvarur district, took up campaigning on indigenous rice varieties in 2004, his sole motive was to ensure a disease-free society.

Never did the 'cycle campaigner' dream of falling prey to a life threatening disease that would temporarily hinder his motive to save the native rice types.

Malignant melanoma, a severe type of skin cancer, would have diminished his physical strength, but the 'activist' in him is willing to rise stronger.

"It is just an obstacle. I would live to record many more varieties of traditional rice in the country," he said. Fighting a secondary stage of cancer, he is struggling hard to cope up with his medical expenses that could cost him over Rs 35 lakh.

"As melanoma is a very aggressive form of skin cancer, administering immunotherapy is a must. He will be injected two doses of 240 mg antibodies for five months before he is checked again for any signs of improvement," said a source at the Apollo Speciality Cancer Hospital, where he is being treated. With 100 mg of the antibodies costing around Rs 1.52 lakh the family is in dire need of funds.

Having already been injected two shots of the same, Jayaraman said, "My insurance covered the expenses the first time and I received donations for the second shot. I am hoping for more donations. The hospital has been kind enough to reduce my room bills by half."

Stating that he had initially considered going to the Adyar Cancer Institute in the city, he said that he was advised against it as he was told that the institute would only administer chemotherapy, which is not enough to treat this form of cancer.

Fondly referred to as 'Nel Jayaraman', the farmer from Thiruthuraipoondi of Thiruvarur district has recorded a total of 169 native rice varieties. He has documented the origin, soil conditions and the quantity of produce of all the rice varieties by travelling to neighbouring villages on a cycle.

"Our country is a haven to lakhs of indigenous rice varieties that have been vanishing over the course of time. My aim is to document 500 such varieties," said the activist. Seated on his bed in a single room, not far from the hospital, Jayaraman reminisces about the day that changed his life.

"I was inspired by the ideologies of organic farming expert and Green Crusader G. Nammalvar. What started with conserving one rice type escalated gradually through vigorous campaigning and the help of other farmers," he said. His wife, an Anganwadi worker, has rendered support to all his campaigns even as a few friends and well-wishers stood by him as he spoke to Deccan Chronicle.

A class nine drop out, Jayaraman's knowledge on the rice types are immense. He initiated a 'rice banking system', wherein he would lend farmers a certain amount of rice in return for the double post- harvest.  

"Over 65 per cent of them return the rice after the harvest. I am in touch with 27,000 farmers who harvest traditional varieties," said the farmer.

More than the cancer, it is the upcoming exams that are a source of worry for this farmer, who is now pursuing his final year in B F Tech at the Tamil Nadu Agricultural University.

Despite suffering from lack of sleep, and constant fever and undergoing regular biopsies, the farmer is busy planning for the annual rice festival that is conducted to sensitise farmers on the native rice species. "It is a tradition to conduct the fest during the last week of May. I am confident to conduct many such fests in future," he said.

Former president of India, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam had appreciated Jayaraman for his efforts in organic farming. "He asked me if I had recorded Kaivara Samba, which he would consume during his childhood. He expressed great joy when he learnt that I did."

Fighting his way

He will be administered two doses of 240 mg antibodies for five months before he is checked again for any signs of improvement. With 100 mg of the antibodies costing around Rs 1.52 lakhs the family is in dire need of funds. Philanthropists willing to help the family in the form of donations may contact 9952787998