‘Each Tree is Like My Child’- Saalumarada Thimmakka when Conferred with Rotary Vandana Award ’19
Mangaluru: Eminent Environmentalist Bengaluru based Padmashree Salumarada Thimmakka and Ramakrishna Mission, Mangaluru who were chosen for the prestigious state level Rotary Annual “Vandana Award-2019” in recognition of their invaluable contributions, in the field of Environmental protection and Empowerment, were awarded during a ceremony held at Hotel Ocean Pearl, Mangaluru on Friday, 26 April 2019. The programme began with a invocation followed by welcome address by Rtn PP Santhosh Shet-President of Rotary Club of Mangalore Central.
Dr Rai further said, “The Vandana Awards started in 2005, during which the 2004-2005 Vandana Awards were given to Ananda Shetty, Dr Shantharam Shetty, Prof G R Pai, Pradeep Kalkura, Navaneeth Shetty, B R Bhat, and Vandana Pai; 2005-2006 – Dr M Mohan Alva, A Sadanand Shetty, N Mogasale, Harsha, and Big I N Rai; 2006-2007- Prof B M Hegde, Prof Dr N R Shetty, Dr M N Rajendra Kumar, Amritha Someshwara, Ramakrishna, and Harekala Hajabba; 2007-2008- Justice Santhosh Hegde; 2008-2009- Padmashree Chandrashekar B S; 2009-2010-Gurukiran; 2010-2011- Padmashree Kadri Gopalnath; 2011-2012- A J Shetty; 2012-2013- Kasargod Chinna, and Mobility Centre for the Blind; 2013-2014- Dr B R Shetty; 2014-2015-Javagal Srinath; 2015-2016- Dr Sashikiran Shetty; 2016-2017- P Jayaram Bhat and Manohar Prasad; and 2017-2018- Devdas Kapikad, and Naveen D Padil”.
The Club bulletin “Centor” was released by Rtn Kiran Prasad Rai- Assistant Governor, Zone II- R I Dist 3181, along with other dignitaries on the dais namely- Rtn. Santhosh Shet, Secretary of Rotary Club of Mangalore Central Rtn. Joel Lobo, and Rotaract President Rtr. Ganesh G T; Rtr Sheldon Crasta-Secretary of Rotaract Club of Mangalore City, Rtn PP Raymond D’cunha, Rtn Dr Poonja- PP of Rotary Club, among others. Following the introduction of Salumarada Thimmakka by Rtn PP PHF K M Hegde, and introduction of Ramakrishna Mission by Rtn PP PHF Dr Manjunath S Revankar, both the recipients of the Awards were felicitated with a shawl, memento, flower bouquet, citation and award.
In reply to the felicitation, Padmashree Salumarada Thimmakka addressing the audience said, “It’s indeed an honor to receive this award from a social organization, which is doing yeomen service to the community. You should understand the green concept and plant more saplings, as it is no use trusting government authorities anymore. Mahatma Gandhi used Charaka as his sword to stop people from wearing western clothes and promote our very own fabric. I am using green as a sword to fight for a better and clean living. You should make green your sword too. Even though me and my husband were not blessed with any children, we both preferred to have plants and trees as our children”.
“In 1991, my husband Bikkalu Chikkaiah passed away, after a long companionship of 63 years. Though I miss my husband, a visit to the Hulikallu village brings back the sweet memories I had planting those thousands of trees along with my husband. And every time I think about those golden moments, it brings joy and smile on my face. I have now an adopted son by the name of Umesha B N, who is a dedicated environmentalist, and he is quite young and handsome- I want to find him a nice girl and get him married before I die {In smiles, which also led the audience into laughs}. Once again I am saying that Green is my sword to fight for a better living, make it yours too,”. Our lakes are all encroached and trees are cut for high-rises. You are the future and you must stop this. You should understand the green concept and plant more saplings, as it is no use trusting government authorities anymore”, added Thimmakka.
While concluding she said, “Take a pledge that you will at least plant 4-5 saplings every year, and also see that your college campus is clean and green. Thanks to Rotary Club for recognizing my efforts and fight for a green environment. If I could make a Green change, I think you too can also bring a change for a cleaner and greener environment”. She received a loud applaud for her very thoughtful and powerful message towards a better and greener environment.
On behalf of Ramakrishna Mission, Swami Jitakamanandaji,-the Head/secretary of Ramakrishna Math, Swami further said, “This award given to Ramakrishna Mission is dedicated the hard working and dedicated coordinators, well-wishers and especially volunteers of Swachh Mangaluru Abhyan, for their great job. To transform this awakening into a strong indelible habit among the people which will result in Swacch Bharath, we had planned five different domains in our 5th phase. The focus was made on training each and every awakened household to convert their waste into wealth through various means thus tackling the problem of waste generation at the root level by using Pot Compost. We are trying our best to keep Mangaluru Green and Clean, but most of all the mindset of the people has to be changed. They need to use their common sense in keeping their surroundings clean, only then we can expect a clean Bharath, as well as Mangaluru. I look forward to the support of all the citizens to make our efforts successful. Let’s make a difference”.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Rtr Sheldon Crasta- Secretary of Rotaract Club of Mangalore City. Enthusiastic fans of Salumarada Thimmakka were busy seen photographs and selfies with Thimmakka as a memory sake.
About Padmashree Saalumarada Thimmakka :
Saalumarada Thimmakka also known as Aalada Marada Timmakka is an Indian environmentalist from Bengaluru, noted for her work in planting and tending to 385 banyan trees along a four-kilometer stretch of highway between Hulikal and Kudur. She has also planted nearly 8000 other trees. Her story is that of grit and determination. She reportedly wanted to commit suicide when she was in her 40’s as she was unable to bear a child. With the support of her husband, she found solace in planting trees. She received no formal education and worked as a casual laborer in a nearby quarry. Her work has been honoured with the National Citizen’s Award of India. Her work was recognized by the Government of India and she was conferred with Padma Shri in 2019. A U.S. environmental organisation based in Los Angeles and Oakland, California called Thimmakka’s Resources for Environmental Education is named after her.[
For her achievement, Thimmakka has been conferred with these awards and citations: The President, Shri Ram Nath Kovind presented the Padma Shri Award to Saalumarada Thimakka, at an Investiture Ceremony, at Rashtrapati Bhavan, in New Delhi on March 16, 2019; Nadoja Award By Hampi University- 2010; National Citizen’s award – 1995; Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Awards – 1997 (Vrikshamitra-“friend of trees”); Veerachakra Prashasthi Award – 1997; Honour Certificate from the Women and Child Welfare Department, Government of Karnataka; Certificate of Appreciation from the Indian Institute of Wood Science and Technology, Bangalore; Karnataka Kalpavalli Award – 2000; Godfrey Phillips Bravery Award – 2006; Vishalakshi Award by Art of Living Organisation; Vishwathma Award by Hoovinahole Foundation -2015; One of BBC’s 100 Women in 2016; Honoured with She’s Divine Award by I and You Being Together Foundation 2017; Parisara Rathana award; Green champion award; and Vrikshamatha award
Today, Thimmakka is invited to many afforestation programs in India. She has also been involved in other social activity like constructing a tank to store rainwater for the annual fair held in her village. She also has a dream of constructing a hospital in her village in remembrance of her husband and a trust has been set up for this purpose. In 2016, Saalumarada Thimmakka was listed by British Broadcasting Corporation as one of the most influential and inspirational women of the world.