Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru Jul 3: Environmentalist, Saalumarada Thimakka on Tuesday July 3 inaugurated an awareness programme on forest conservation, 'Vrukshanjali' at St Aloysius College here.

Addressing the gathering Saalumarada Thimmakka said, "I was born in Gubbi taluk, into a family that faced a lot of difficulties and was not educated. I was married to Chikkaiah, but we had no children for 25 years. However, with the support of my husband we decided to plant banyan trees in lieu of children and nurtured them. Ten saplings were grafted in the first year and planted at a distance of five kilometers near the neighboring village of Kudoor. Fifteen saplings were planted in the second year and 20 in the third year. Today, they have grown into huge trees nurtured by the government.

"Everyone should come forward to plant saplings so that people like me can sit and enjoy its shade when they are grown. The environmentalist was felicitated and the students of Swaroopa Adhyayana Kendra under the aegis of Gopaadkar performed a drama.

Foster son of Saalumarada Thimmakka, Umesh B N said, "We usually do not attend functions as my mother is already 107 years old, but we are grateful to be at this programme. People conduct programmes either for publicity or for personal benefit, but I have not noticed this here. This programme is very meaningful as it creates awareness on forest conservation.

"As we entered, we saw students holding placards on conversation of forests in a very orderly manner. Students will be able to bring about changes in society as they advance. Whilst alive we will not receive as much value as we would receive after death. We must remember that when we come into this world we do not come with anything, nor do we take back anything when we die, but whilst alive we end up doing wrong things in society.

"Saalumarada Thimmakka, the living legend who planted banyan trees and nurtured them like her own children is an inspiration to all of us. Today, no one is poor, on the contrary everyone has a smart phone now, but on Environment Day everyone was busy on social media promoting the message 'save trees, save environment'. Instead, at least spend Rs 500 a year to plant a sapling in your surroundings and nurture it."

Environmental activist Dinesh Holla said, "This day will be written down in the history books of St Aloysious College that the great environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka was with us for which we are fortunate. We should take on the responsibility of planting saplings and nurturing them to save our environment in order to make this event meaningful.

"We can find many to axe trees, but we cannot find anyone to nurture trees. This scenario needs to be changed. We have enough time to correct ourselves and bring changes to society. These changes should start from our home itself."

Principal St Aloysius College, Fr Dr Praveen Martis said, "Our college is 139 years old and has witnessed the participation of several eminent leaders in the college programme. However, this event has brought grace to our institution when Saalumarada Thimmakka stepped into our college. People need shade to park their vehicles, but no one comes forward to plant saplings. St Aloysius has nutured several trees on its premises, thanks to our ancestors and we are now taking this act forward.

"Saalumarada Thimmakka has led by example for all of us to follow. We will take on the responsibility of making this campus more green."

Registrar, Dr A M Narahari welcomed the gathering, convenor of the programme Durga Menon rendered the vote of thanks and Bhavya Shetty compered the programme.

Convenor of the programme Shilpa was also present.

Prior to the event, Saalumarada Thimmakka inaugurated 'tissue culture avenue' in the premises of the college.

Saalumarada Thimakka pained at government's failure to provide facilities

Addressing the media here on Tuesday July 3, Saalumarada Thimmakka said, "I still live in a rented house in Bengaluru. The government has not responded to my demands of owning a house. I hope that the present government will consider that and help me out.

Saalumarada Thimmakka's son Umesh B N said, "She dreamt of having a maternity hospital. Despite receiving the green signal from the government, it has still not been constructed. Earlier, at the time of the budget, construction of Saalumarada Thimmakka tree park in 224 constituencies was announced, but Saalumarada Thimmakka was not

invited to any tree park launch in the state. Now she is 107 years old. It will be good if the government takes up the initiative of providing facilities to her while she is alive. What use is it if the government acts after her death?"

Principal of the college Fr Dr Praveen Martis, registrar Dr A M Narahari and others were present.