Padma Shri Salumarada Thimmakka has awards but struggles for a living

Bengaluru: Taunted for not being able to give birth to a child, Vriksha Mata Saalumarada Thimmakka started planting banyan trees in lieu of children. The 106-year-old Thimmakka has planted 8000 trees. She has been conferred with the Padma Shri award this year. She has spent 66 years of her life planting trees. The journey started from planting and nurturing 384 banyan trees Banyan trees near Kudur. Her foster son, Umesh said, “We are very happy with the recognition. She deserves a Bharat Ratna for her work spanning seven decades. More than awards, the government must help her lead a respectful life.” Salumarada Thimmakka also pleaded the government to provide her a decent amount of pension so that she doesn't have to sleep with an empty stomach. Numerous pleas to help Salumarada Thimmakka by others and Thimmakka herself have so far fallen on deaf ears.