How one woman turned a simple act of care into a lifelong legacy of green.
Some names stay with you long after you meet them or read about them, not because they chased fame, but because they lived a life that changed the world without their c.
Saalumarada Thimmakka is one such woman.
Saalumarada Thimmakka was born around 1911 in a small village in Karnataka. The village did not have a school, so she grew up without formal education. She worked in a quarry from a young age and lived a very modest life. She married Bikkala Chikkayya, a soft-spoken man with a stammer. The two did not have children, which brought emotional pain and social pressure, especially in a rural setting, but they continued living with dignity.
How Her Journey With Trees Began
One day, she and her husband decided to plant banyan saplings along a dry roadside near Hulikal, their village in Karnataka. She once said they cared for the saplings the way parents care for their children. They carried water in pails for long distances during the dry season and protected the young plants from cattle and harsh heat. Their focus was not on creating something big. They were simply doing what felt meaningful to them at that moment.
The Birth of Saalumarada Thimmakka
Over time, those saplings grew strong. The long stretch of banyan trees began changing the landscape. People around her noticed what she had created and started calling her Saalumarada, which means “a row of trees” in Kannada. The name stayed with her for the rest of her life.
A Lifetime of Planting
Life continued to be simple for her. She lived in a small hut and managed her expenses carefully. Awards, certificates, and garlands continued to come, but she did not receive much financial support. Still, she continued to plant and nurture trees. By the end of her journey, she had planted more than 8,000 trees.
When the World Finally Noticed
Her story reached a wider audience only when she was already elderly. In 1996, a local journalist wrote about her. That article brought her national attention. She was invited to Delhi and received the National Citizens’ Award. In 2019, she was honoured with the Padma Shri. The BBC also listed her among the 100 most influential women. People admired her humility and calm presence. Even the President of India mentioned how touched he felt when she blessed him during the award ceremony.
Her Later Years and Final Days
Even in her later years, she continued to speak about protecting nature. She dreamed of building a hospital in her husband’s memory and hoped it would help the people around her. She passed away in Bengaluru on 14 November at around 114 years old.
What Women Today Can Take From Her Story
Her story is not about grand speeches or big ambitions. It is about small actions done with sincerity. She started with very little. She cared for one sapling at a time. Years later, those small steps created a green corridor that still stands strong.
For mothers who feel they have no time for their own dreams, her life reminds us that meaningful work can grow alongside responsibilities. For women who are 40 or older and thinking about a new direction or a second innings, her journey shows that there is no set age for purpose or recognition. She found her path and her fame late, yet it became powerful and long-lasting.
Why She Is Our Woman of the Week
Saalumarada Thimmakka lived with simplicity and strength. She worked with her hands, followed her heart, and stayed committed to something that mattered to her. She did not set out to be famous, but her work still speaks for her. Her story inspires without trying to, and that is what makes her truly special.
If stories like Thimmakka’s make you feel seen, hopeful or ready to try again, stay with me. I share more real stories of women who found their strength, rebuilt their lives and started again. You can explore those inspiring journeys right here.