Meet Padma Shri Tulasi Gowda, the barefoot environmentalist, as her picture goes viral while greeting PM Modi
Tribune Web Desk
Chandigarh, November 9
Tulasi Gowda was on Monday conferred the Padma Shri award for her contribution to the protection of the environment.
The 72-year-old tribal woman from Karnataka belongs to the Halakki indigenous tribe in Karnataka. Gowda grew up in a poor family and did not receive any formal education, and yet, she is known as the ‘Encyclopedia of the Forest’.
This is because of her vast knowledge of diverse species of plants and herbs. Since the age of 12, she has planted and nurtured thousands of trees.
She is also a temporary volunteer with the forest department where she was recognised for her dedication towards protecting nature. She was later offered a permanent job in the department.
A photo of the Karnataka tribal greeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi, top ministers and dignitaries at the function was widely shared on social media.
PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah were seen greeting her back with folded hands. The PM also posted the image on Instagram.
Many on Twitter captioned it the “Image of the Day”.
The Prime Minister was also seen in one of the photos clasping the environmentalist’s hands and speaking to her.
Image of the Day#PadmaAwards
(Source: PIB) pic.twitter.com/nSwRu92ON9
— Akhilesh Sharma (@akhileshsharma1) November 8, 2021
Smt Tulsi Gowda is awarded Padma Shri for Social Work.
She is an environmentalist from Karnataka who has planted more than 30,000 saplings and has been involved in environmental conservation activities for the past six decades. pic.twitter.com/pgwXMYx8ZD
— Vishnu Vardhan Reddy (@SVishnuReddy) November 8, 2021
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