BENAGLURU: Though Padma Shri awardee Saalumarada Thimmakka passed away on Friday, 14 November, in Bengaluru, her legacy continues to live on not only through the thousands of trees she allegedly nurtured but also through the lessons included in Karnataka state syllabus school textbooks.
The Class 5 Environmental Studies textbook features content related to Vruksha Mathe Saalumarada Thimmakka in the fifth chapter, Natural Resources. The lesson details the noble work done by Thimmakka, which continues to inspire generations of youngsters. Similarly, her profile is included in Chapter 18 of the Class 7 Social Science (History) textbook. The chapter titled Pro-Social Movements of Karnataka carries a detailed profile of Saalumarada Thimmakka under the subsection Environmental movements.
There is also a separate chapter in the Class 8 third-language Hindi textbook titled Vrukshapremi Thimmakka. Through these lessons across different textbooks, the Karnataka Textbook Society aims to inspire children to follow Thimmakka’s path.
Mohan Kumar, Senior Assistant Director of the Karnataka Textbook Society, said, “We include these chapters on various people who have made landmark achievements in various fields. Thimmakka is one such person who serves as a role model to children studying in the schools. That is why her chapter is included at every class in various subjects.”
Speaking to TNIE, Vikas Kishor Suralkar, Commissioner, Department of School Education and Literacy, said, “We are proud of her achievements and contributions and are motivated to follow her path. This message will be replicated through chapters in textbooks. The future generation will also know about her work and love towards nature and care for tree saplings.”
Meanwhile, B. Kotresh, a school teacher at Government High School in Hagaribommanalli, Vijayanagar district, said, “We study and teach about her to the students but apart from that, a group of five teachers from five different schools have formed Vanasiri Foundation. We have personally met Thimmakka and she inspires us to be the next generation to save trees and ecosystem around us. Likewise, we don’t allow anyone to cut trees in surrounding villages and taluks. If they axe them down, there will be serious legal consequences they have to face.”
Shivakumar M., another government school teacher in Cheemangala near Sidlaghatta, said, “Just like Thimmakka planted the saplings and nurtured them like she would nurture her children, I think we must plant one sapling on our birthdays and nurture them. Through her lessons in our textbooks, she will continue to live with many generations. That is enough to inspire and also make a difference.”