One who nurtures trees around her like her own children, Smt. Kollakal Devaki Amma dedicated last four decades of her life to grow a natural forest environment of her own in her ancestral property. Through this, she made herself a glowing example of environment conservation and became an icon of the love for trees. This legacy is also devotedly followed by her elder daughter Prof. D Thankamony, who is also the former Head of Department of Environmental Science, College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram. Both Smt. Devaki Amma and Prof. Thankamony were honored earlier with Indira Priyadarshini Vrikshamitra Award of Central Government for their contributions. They hail from Kayamkulam in Alappuzha district of Kerala.
Smt. Kollakal Devaki Amma is awarded with this year's 'Nari Shakthi Puraskar' by the Hon'ble President of India on the occasion of International Women's Day. Smt. Devaki Amma won the highest Civilian Honour for women in the country at the age of 84. Hon'ble President Shri. Ram Nath Kovind distributed the Nari SHakthi Puraskar Awards to all selected women achievers, including Smt. Devaki Amma, at a function on 8th March 2019 at Rashtrapathi Bhavan. Later, Smt. Devaki Amma and Prof. D Thankamani were also congratulated in a face to face meeting with the Hon'ble Prime Minister.
An interview with Smt. Devaki Amma and Prof. D Thankamani was recorded at the studios of All India Radio, Thiruvananthapuram on 15th March 2019. They shared their encouraging life experiences and the happiness of being with nature in this interview. They were interviewed by Shri. Muraleedharan Thazhakara, Programme Executive for Farm & Home. The interview will be broadcast as a Special Programme in the 'Vayalum Veedum' (Farm & Home) broadcast of All India Radio on 28th March 2019 at 6.50 PM.
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