The President of India awarded the Padma Shri, India’s 4th highest civilian award to a 107 year old for planting thousands of trees.
Saalumarada Thimmakka, who also goes by a nickname Vriksha Mathe (Mother of Trees) couldn’t resist blessing the President Ram Nath Kovind. The motherly instincts of the woman could not be curbed by the strict protocol of Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Thimmakka, who hails from the southern state of Karnataka planted 8,000 trees including 400 banyan trees. She was honoured along with other personalities at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday.
As she approached the dias to receive the award from President Ram Nath Kovind. The President who is 33 years younger to Thimmakka, asked her to face the camera, she then touched his forehead to bless him. Her innocent move brought a smile to the President, Prime Minister and all the guests burst into applause for her.
This is India. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/MqE6z34ua5
— Akshay (@AkshayKatariyaa) March 16, 2019
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Saalumarada Thimmakka who wanted to commit suicide in her 40s, because she could not conceive. She took to planting trees as she found peace in it. She along with her husband planted hundreds of seedlings each year, and took care of them. Her quest forced her to walk over 4 kilometers to water the plants.
Her husband passed away in the year 1991, but she continued to plant trees. In the last 65 years she successfully planted over 8000 trees and nurtured them.