Udupi: A large number of youth along with likeminded people took out a rally on October 10 in the city to help 105-year-old Salumarada Thimmakka, who is known for her love for trees.
The ‘Neralu Neravu’ campaign under the leadership of Avinash Kamath and his team, collected money from the public to help Salumrada Thimmakka.
Before flagging off the rally, Avinash Kamath said that Thimmakka, who is now suffering from age related health problems and poverty, receives only Rs 500 as pension from the government and has no other source of income. “The 105-year-old Thimmakka who spent all her life planting trees is now suffering from poor health and needs constant medical care. Thimmakka has planted close to 800 trees in Kadur village in Hulligal, wherein each tree costs in lakhs today. We, the youth, have decided to contribute our mite from Udupi to Thimmakka. We received tremendous response from various colleges, offices and people of the district. The amount collected would be directly delivered to Salumarada Thimakka during a special programme. She is in urgent need of financial aid as her age and poor health does not permit her to do any work.” He assured that transparency would be maintained in all the transactions.
Speaking on the occasion, CMC president Yuvraj said that Salumarada Thimakka should be the role model for all. “Everyone should engage in planting saplings. A great human being, who is suffering from old age related health issues and poverty, still has great love for trees.” He urged the people to donate generously, so that Salumarada Thimakka will live longer to plant yet more number of trees.
Employees of Robosoft Technologies, Karnataka Karmikara Vedike, well-known eye specialist Dr Krishnaprasad, Congress leader Amrith Shenoy, Railway Yatri Sangha, CMC president Yuvraj, GSB Hithrakshna Vedike Karkala and many other people contributed generously to the ‘Neralu Neravu’ initiative and congratulated Avinash Kamath and his team.
The rally passed through Big Bazar, Diana Circle, K M Marg, Triveni Circle and culminated at the Service Bus-stand.
Gururaj Sanil, Rakshath Shetty, Veeraj Kaup, Srikanth Shetty, Ravi Shetty of Karnataka Karmika Vedike, Chandrika Shetty, Dr Veerupakash Deverumane and others were present.