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Bengaluru, Nov 14 (IANS) Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday announced that the last rites of Padma Shri awardee ‘Salumarada’ Thimmakka will be performed with full state honours.
Speaking to the media after paying his last respects to Vriksha Mata (Mother of Trees) Saalumarada Thimmakka, the Chief Minister said, “Saalumarada Thimakka, who lived for 114 years, passed away today. She was born in Hulikal village of Magadi taluk. Childless Thimakka nurtured the trees as if they were her own children. The saplings planted by her have today become big, proud banyan trees. Her identity For his service as an environmentalist, the Central Government honored him with the Padma Shri award.
Siddaramaiah said, “The government has received a letter expressing Thimmakka’s last wish. He had said that a Thimmakka museum should be established in Belur. The government will examine and consider this request.”
He prayed for peace of his soul and strength to his family members and fans to bear this loss.
Regarding the funeral arrangements, the Chief Minister said that the family has identified two or three possible places and the final decision on the place of cremation will be taken soon.
Speaking to the media at Vidhana Soudha on Friday, Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President DK Shivakumar said, “Salumarada Thimakka of our district dedicated her entire life to protect the environment. She made her unique contribution in environmental protection and awareness.”
“I condole the demise of Tree Mother Salumarada Thimmakka. She was a woman of extraordinary character,” he said.
Shivakumar said, “The mother of the trees, who nurtured the plants like her own children and looked after them with complete devotion, has left us. It feels as if the entire environment is in mourning today. There is a saying that one must either give something in this world or leave something behind. I bow my head in respect of this great mother who truly lived by that principle. She left after completing her entire life of 114 years.”
“The trees he nurtured, and the awareness he created in all of us, will live forever. Thimmakka is the pride of Karnataka and the whole of India. He planted saplings along the roadside for many kilometers and watered them every day until they became trees. He looked after them like his own children.
Shivakumar said, “Between Hulikal and Kuduru in Bengaluru South district, she planted and nurtured 385 banyan trees along a 4.5-km stretch of the highway. Whenever anyone traveled on that route, she came to their mind. In total, she planted and nurtured more than 8,000 trees. She has set an example for the younger generation.”
He concluded his message by praying that God may grant Thimmakka’s family and fans the strength to bear the pain of his demise.
Addressing the X, former PM HD Deve Gowda said, “The news of the demise of Padma Shri awardee, environmentalist, mother of trees and centenarian Salu Marada Thimmakka – who lived a life that epitomized “Green is Life” – is deeply saddened.
“A humanitarian who showed the world that there is no life without greenery, he dedicated his entire life to environmental protection, raising trees like his own children. His service towards the environment stands as a model for the entire humanity.
“I pray that Thimmakka’s soul rests in eternal peace and may God give his family members and fans the strength to bear the pain of his loss.”
Former CM and BJP MP Basavaraj Bommai said, “I am deeply shocked to hear the demise of Salumarada Thimmakka, the centenarian daughter and mother of trees. By planting thousands of saplings and nurturing them like her own children, she dedicated her entire life to protecting the environment. Her environmental service will always keep her memory alive. For her achievements she received many honors including the Padma Shri and the Rajyotsava Award.”
He said, “With his demise, the state has lost a great soul and become poorer. Thimmakka’s work will always remain an inspiration. I pray that the departed soul rests in eternal peace and may God give all his admirers the strength to bear the pain of his loss.”
Renowned environmentalist and Padmashree awardee ‘Salumarada’ Thimmakka passed away on Friday at the age of 114. He was undergoing treatment for respiratory complications at a private hospital in Jayanagar, Bengaluru, where he died at 12 noon today after his condition deteriorated.
Born on June 30, 1911, in Gubbi taluk of Tumakuru district, Thimmakka was married to Chikkayya of Hulikal village. The couple had no children, due to which they planted banyan saplings on the roadside and nurtured them and looked after them like their own children. This earned him the affectionate title “Salumarada” (row of trees) Thimmakka.
Despite being illiterate, she became an international symbol of environmental protection.
Over the years, he has received several honors including the Rajyotsav Award, the Vishalakshi Award, the Nadoja Award (2010), and the prestigious Padma Shri (2019).
In 2020, the Central University of Karnataka awarded him an honorary doctorate.
Political leaders, environmentalists and public figures across the country have expressed deep condolences on his demise.
–IANS
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