Cuttack: Kamala Maharana, popularly known as Jari Mausi for her waste to wealth efforts which won her praises from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, breathed her last at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Saturday night. She was 66.
Her son Mahendra Maharana told the media that she slipped and hurt her back while sitting on a chair a few days ago. She was initially admitted to a local hospital and later shifted to SCB. “The treatment apparently put too much pressure on her heart because of which she passed away,” he added.
Last month, Kamala had stitched three hats from recycled plastic milk pouches for the chiefs of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force to celebrate their victory in Operation Sindoor. “Through these hats, I can share a mother’s blessing. I chose hats because they rest on the head. Even a small message back from them would be the reward for my efforts,” she had then said, her eyes glistening with emotion.
In February 2023, PM Modi mentioned her in the 98th edition of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme for her waste-to-wealth initiative. “She is a part of Swachh Bharat,” the Prime Minister had said.
Kamala lived in Gulnagar area of Kendrapara city and ran a women’s self-help group (SHG), which made household articles from discarded milk pouches and other plastic materials.
In August that year, she sent a rakhi made out of waste materials like papers, cotton, thin used polymer sheets and plastics to Modi since he called her sister in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ programme.
During a rally in Kendrapada on May 30, 2024, the Prime Minister also bowed down and sought her blessings.