Centenarian environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka laid to rest with full state honour
Bengaluru (PTI): Padma Shri recipient ‘Saalumarada’ Thimmakka was laid to rest with full state honour here on Saturday.
The 114-year-old environmentalist, who earned the reputation of ‘Vruksha Maate’ (Mother of Trees) had passed away in a private hospital on Friday owing to old age related ailments.
Born on June 30, 1911, Thimmakka earned the fame ‘Saalumarada’ after she planted 385 banyan trees all along the 4.5 km stretch between Hulikal and Kudur in Ramanagara headquartered Bengaluru South district.
With no formal education, Thimmakka started the plantation campaign as she treated them as her children to fill the void in her life as childless woman.
The last rites were performed according to the Lingayat tradition at Kalagrama in Jnana Bharathi campus in Bengaluru.
Karnataka Home Minister G Parameshwara, Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre several MLAs were among those present when her body was lowered into the grave.
"An award will be instituted in the name of Saalumarada Thimmakka," Khandre said after paying his last respects to Thimmakka here.
He said the state has lost a devoted guardian of the environment who inspired lakhs of people through her lifelong commitment to nurturing trees.
He noted that hundreds of citizens continue to plant and take care of saplings, drawing inspiration from her work.
"As a mark of tribute, 114 saplings will be planted and nurtured at 114 locations across Karnataka, symbolising each year of Thimmakka’s life," the Minister said.
He recalled that the forest department had earlier honoured her as an 'Environment Ambassador'.
Khandre said ‘Vruksha Maate’ Thimmakka had set an example by caring for trees with ‘maternal affection’ and taking the message of conservation to the world.
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Kane scores hat trick and Bayern extends Bundesliga lead to 11 points
Berlin (AP): Harry Kane was substituted in at the hour mark and still had enough time to score a hat trick on Saturday.
The England captain took his goal tally for Bayern Munich this season to 28 and the defending champions extended their lead to 11 points after thrashing Stuttgart 5-0 on the road.
Second-placed Leipzig later hosted Eintracht Frankfurt.
With Kane on the bench, Konrad Laimer took on the scoring duties and produced a superb finish. The Austria midfielder collected a long ball and combined with Michael Olise before slotting home from close range with a subtle backheel past goalkeeper Alexander Nübel in the 11th minute.
Kane made it 2-0 with a low shot into the bottom corner and Josip Stanišic added his name to the scoresheet. Kane added further luster to the win from the penalty spot after Stuttgart was reduced to 10 men for Lorenz Assignon using his arm to clear a ball in the 81st.
Kane completed the rout with a flick from an Olise cross with two minutes left. He has found the net five more times with England this season, taking his total to 33 goals for club and country.
Stuttgart had chances before halftime but lacked a cutting edge. Midfielder Nikolas Nartey thought he equalized only for his goal to be ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Bayern Munich is unbeaten in 16 league and cup games against German opposition this season.
Other results
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Bayer Leverkusen suffered a fourth loss, 2-0 at Augsburg.
Defender Dimitrios Giannoulis put the host in front after six minutes then turned provider to set up forward Anton Kade. Leverkusen, which hit the woodwork, remained in fourth place, 14 points behind Bayern.
Wolfsburg scored from all of its shots on target and moved four points clear of the relegation zone after beating Union Berlin 3-1. Heidenheim defeated Freiburg 2-1. Cologne and St. Pauli drew 1-1.
