Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (HB)
Udupi, Oct 6: An enthusiastic humanitarian group from Udupi is working on conducting a program titled ‘Neralu-Neravu’ campaign to raise funds towards helping environmentalist Salumarada Thimmakka.
At a press meet on Wednesday October 7, Avinash Kamath said that 105-year-old Thimmakka has been ill for quite some time and is undergoing treatment for respiratory problems and hypertension. She is now on the road to recovery. A monthly government pension of Rs 5oo is the only source of income for her livelihood. Umesh, her adopted son has no job. He looks after Thimmakka's health and daily chores. They now live in a small rented room in Bengaluru.
Thimmakka is being treated by Apollo Hospital, Bengaluru where she avails a 10% discount. The humanitarian group has planned to set up a campaign in order to create environmental awareness among the public.
In connection with this, a procession will be organized from Big Bazaar to Udupi city premises on Sunday October 11. The participation of Thimmakka in the procession is yet to be confirmed due to her ill health.
Avinash further said that Thimmaka’s son Umesh is a nature lover and he has planted more than one lac saplings in 25 years. He will soon host ‘Koti vriksha’ programme. He has also nurtured hundreds of trees from Kudur to Hulikal, an area of 4.5 kilometre. The trees nurtured by Thimmakka are now worth Rs 1 crore each.
The team has placed drop boxes at Big Bazaar, banks and many colleges in order to raise funds. Avinash has called for public support towards this campaign.
Gururaj Sanil, Srikant Shetty and others were present at the press meet.