Padma Shri Awardee 'Vrikshamata' Tulsi Gowda passes away
Ankola: Tulsi Gowda, popularly known as the 'Vrikshamata' (Mother of Trees), passed away at the age of 86 at her home due to age related ailments in Honnalli village, Ankola taluk, on Monday evening.
Tulsi js survived by two children and four grandchildren.
Tulsi Gowda earned her nickname by planting and nurturing millions of trees over decades, dedicating her life to environmental conservation. Known for planting over thirty thousand saplings annually, she contributed significantly to reforesting barren lands and promoting greenery. Her efforts earned her the prestigious Padma Shri Award from the Indian government.
Despite facing personal challenges, including losing her husband at a young age and raising two children as a widow, Tulsi joined the Forest Department as a daily wage worker. Her passion for nature turned her job into a lifelong mission. She collected seeds, cultivated saplings, and reforested vast areas, which led to her becoming a symbol of environmental dedication.
Tulsi Gowda, a member of the Halakki tribal community, possessed remarkable knowledge of trees, their uses, and their care. Her expertise surpassed that of many professionals, and forest scientists often marveled at her understanding of sapling production and seed care. She grew trees like mango, banyan, and jackfruit while promoting eco-friendly species to combat environmental degradation.
Her selfless commitment to the environment extended beyond her retirement. Even in her later years, she continued nurturing plants in the forests near her home. Visitors from across the state sought her guidance and inspiration, recognizing her as a beacon of environmental consciousness.
Tulsi Gowda's contributions were celebrated with numerous accolades, including the Indira Priyadarshini Vriksha Mitra Award, the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award (1999), Smt. Kavita Memorial award, Indavalu H. Honnaiah social service Award and several other honors for her tireless work in environmental conservation. She continued her mission even while living a modest life, relying on a small pension and the support of her two sons, who work as laborers.
Tulsi often expressed concern over the environmental degradation caused by modern practices like the widespread planting of acacia, which she believed harmed groundwater levels. She advocated for the cultivation of traditional, eco-friendly trees, urging society to prioritize sustainable practices.
Tulsi Gowda's legacy lives on in the countless trees she planted and the lives she inspired to protect the environment for future generations.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
National Herald case: Shivakumar to seek time next week to appear before Delhi police
New Delhi/Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Monday said he will ask for time from Delhi police to appear before them next week, to provide required information as part of the probe into the National Herald case.
He said he will seek time after the ongoing winter session of Karnataka legislature ends on December 19. He will also ask the Delhi police to provide him the FIR copy.
Shivakumar, who is in the national capital, had earlier said that he will appear before the Delhi police on Monday. But, he postponed the plan in order to rush back to Karnataka to participate in the last rites of veteran Congress leader Shamanuru Shivashankarappa, scheduled later in the day in Davangere.
"I had to go (to appear before the Delhi police), but I have to go back urgently. I'm asking them for time, stating that I will come next week," Shivakumar told reporters in New Delhi.
"They (Delhi police) have not attached the FIR copy while issuing notice to me. I need FIR copy, because we had already given all the required replies to the ED. I don't know what the FIR says, I only read in papers. They have given notice, I will ask for a FIR copy. I will come next week after the Assembly session."
The Delhi Police had issued a notice to Shivakumar, who is also the Karnataka Congress chief, seeking financial and transactional details as part of its probe into the National Herald case.
The notice issued by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) states that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.
In the notice dated November 29, the EOW had asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19 latest.
Investigators have sought details about his personal background, his association with the Congress party, and a complete break up of funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.
To a question on meeting AICC General Secretaries K C Venugopal and Randeep Singh Surjewala, amid the ongoing power tussle between him and CM Siddaramaiah over the Chief Minister post, Shivakumar said when he comes to Delhi, he usually meets every one.
"Whether it is Surjewala or Kharge (AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge) or Venugopal, I will meet everyone. During lunch yesterday I met Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. I have met everyone. What's wrong?" he asked.
Shivakumar was in Delhi to take part in Congress' "Vote Chori" rally on Sunday, and had also participated in the lunch organised by the party for its leaders.
Responding to a question, whether any meeting is planned with leaders today, the Deputy CM said, he and Kharge will be travelling together to Karnataka, to pay last respects to Shamanuru Shivashankarappa.
Asked if he will seek time for a separate meeting with Congress leadership including Rahul Gandhi, during the next visit to Delhi, Sivakumar said, "such things will be there between us in the party.... you don't worry."
