As India wakes up to the celebrations of the 74th Republic Day, the state of Karnataka is showing the exceptional achievements of three women from Karnataka during the Republic Day Parade 2023. Karnataka's tableau carries the message of 'Nari Shakti' on its shoulder. Sulagitti Narasamma, a midwife, Tulsi Gowda Halakki also known as 'Vruksha Maate' (Mother of Trees), and Salumarada Thimmakka are the three women that are being honoured by Karnataka in its tableau.
Centre has honoured them already with the country's fourth highest civilian award, 'Padma Shri' for their selfless and extraordinary contributions towards our society.
The tableau is led by Sulagitti Narasamma as she can be seen at the very front of it while rocking the cradle with a baby in it and playing with the children in her arms. Narasamma is widely known for her exceptional skill in performing deliveries in a traditional manner, in absence of skilled doctors. In the past seven decades, she has performed more than two thousand of such deliveries.
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Tulsi Gowda Halakki also known as the Vruksha Maate's representation in the tableau followed Narasamma. She is at the centre of the tableau and can be seen nurturing the plants. She is an expert in not only just identifying but also cultivating rare species of plants. She has been credited for the plantation of more than 30,000 saplings.
At the very end of the tableau, Salumarada Thimmakka can be seen standing tall and looking after the trees. She's a renowned 'Tree planter'. She has reportedly planted more than 8,000 trees. She didn't just plant them, she also looked after them diligently, and watered all of them with the help of her husband. Along with planting 8,000 trees, she is also known for planting and raising 75 banyan trees along the 4.5 kilometre long highway.