Even in her twilight years, the welfare of the people in her village still worries this 103-year-old woman, who hopes to get a Government Maternity Hospital built in Kudur village of Magadi taluk in Ramanagar district.
Saalumarada Timmakka, a noted environmentalists, who came to limelight for planting over 400 banyan trees in four kilometre-stretch in her district, is also fighting to get a Government Maternity Hospital in her village for the last over fifteen years.
Ms. Timmakka grandmother said that so far, except giving assurances, the Government has done nothing to meet her demand.
Ms. Timmakka, who was here to attend the Environment Day programme organised by Shantiniketan School on Wednesday, said that she is hopeful of getting the hospital built before she dies.
The recipient of various awards, Ms. Timmakka said that she started planting the saplings over six decades ago.
“When I could not conceive even after two decades of marriage, my late husband and I decided to plant trees and raise them like our own children”, she said.
While she has achieved fame across the world, Umesh, her adopted son regrets that the Government has done nothing to secure her life.
“All that this world famous woman gets from the Government is Rs. 500 old-age pension. A shoddily constructed house was given to her, which she refused to take and now living in a rented house”, he said.
Stating that he and her mother were living in pathetically weak economic conditions, Mr. Umesh urged the Government to ensure better means of living for them.
To a question, he said that in order to continue the legacy of her mother, Saalumarada Timmakka Foundation had been formed through which, aforestation drives are being taken up and awareness programmes on ecology are being conducted.
