BENGALURU: Centenarian environmentalist Saalumarada Thimmakka, who recently spent several days in hospital following respiratory ailments and breathing discomfort, was showered with about 250 kg of flowers at an event on Saturday.
While the gesture was meant as a mark of respect, the frail Thimmakka was literally buried under the floral shower.
The celebrated environmentalist was attending the Saalumarada Thimmakka awards event on Saturday. She arrived at the venue late as she was unwell, according to her foster son Umesh.
She had been hospitalised for a long period in October this year. Unmindful of her frail health, the guests and visitors continued to shower baskets of flowers on an unwell Thimmakka giving her little time to breathe.
Rose, chrysanthemums and petals of several other flowers were poured on her to commemorate her 107th birthday, according to her son. She also had to listen to a violin recital from a close distance.
The event saw the participation of minister for social welfare H Anjaneya besides freedom fighter H S Doreswamy. When Express reached out to volunteers at the event, they said over 10 baskets of flowers were arranged for the event.
Her son, however, confirmed that it weighed anywhere between 250-300 kg. Asked if she could withstand the weight at that age, Umesh said, “We did not put flowers on her in a manner that would burden her. It was only showered on her and was cleared from time to time.”