Thimmakka appeals government to provide her a home

Environmentalist Salumarada Thimmakka on Tuesday requested Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy to allot her a house in Bengaluru.

"I stay at a rent house in Bengaluru, despite being the recipient of many awards," she told reporters.

She was in the city as part of ‘Vrikshanjali’, an awareness programme on afforestation, organised by St Aloysius College here.

The 105 -year-old Thimmakka said: "My husband died 26 years ago. I am living with my foster son Umesh B N at a rent house. The then chief minister B S Yeddyurappa allotted a 60x40 site on the outskirts of Bengaluru. I request Kumaraswamy to allot a house."

"The government has turned down my pleas for a house and a maternity hospital to my native place Hulikal," she charged.

"Except Rs 500 old age pension per month, she is not getting any facilities from the government," Umesh said.

“The government is commissioning Salumarada Thimmakka parks in 222 Assembly constituencies spending about Rs 222 crore, but she lacks a house,” he said.

At the programme, she narrated how she and her husband, who did not have children, decided to plant and nurture trees like their own children.

"We planted saplings along the roadside and took care of them daily by carrying water on earthen pots and watering the plants," she recalled.

She upon people to plant saplings for the welfare of next generation.

" Those who plant saplings will be blessed by people taking shelter under the trees after some years. Trees provide home to lot of birds and other creatures," she said.

Thimmakka and Umesh planted saplings at the College Premises. She also inaugurated tissue culture centre at the college.

The College Principal Dr Pravin Martis presided.

He termed Thimmakka as an inspiration to all.

The College Registrar A M Narahari, Environmentalist Dinesh Holla and programme conveners Shilpa and Durga Menon were present.