Coimbatore: DMK President has extended his heartiest congratulations to all recipients of Padma awards. "It is heartwarming to see many Tamil icons being recognized for their contributions in the field of music, sports, art, public service etc", he noted.
This centenarian grandma has lived through two World Wars, India’s Independence and now the COVID-19 pandemic, too.
Coimbatore: DMK President has extended his heartiest congratulations to all recipients of Padma awards. "It is heartwarming to see many Tamil icons being recognized for their contributions in the field of music, sports, art, public service etc", he noted.
Congratulating the 105-yeat-old Pappammal alias Rangammal who is a DMK party member and recipient of fourth highest civil honour of the nation "Padma Shri", DMK President Stalin commended her dedication to the party and how she stood by all protests, as a voice of the people. Age was no barrier for her, he lauded.
Born in 1914 in Devalapuram village in Mettupalayam of Coimbatore district, Pappammal lost her parents at a very early age and was raised by her paternal grandmother in Thekkampatti, Coimbatore district, she told to Simplicity in an exclusive interview in 2018.
"My 10 acres of agricultural land is everything to me. I have never felt tired working in the fields. It's actually what keeps me punctual and energetic. I cultivate various kinds of pulses, fruits and vegetables. Very long time ago, I used to visit Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU) to learn new agricultural practices, natural pesticides, to collect native seeds...", she told us.
When curiously asked on what keeps her buzzing even at 103, she just smiled and told in her slang in Tamil "Kannu, Kari Kuzhambu, Ragi Kali dhaan naan eppovavum saapiduvean. Adhu dhaan udambukku balam..." (From very early days, I have been eating mutton curry and ragi muddle. That gives great strength to the body to work tirelessly.)
Pappammal paati also served us the meal and ensured we ate the meal in full, her hospitality melted us. Even at this age, she prefers washing her clothes and utensils, and does all households chores meticulously with such passion.
In the year 1959, Pappammal was also elected as the village Councillor of Thekkampatti Panchayat, the first year such elections were held after the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act was adopted in 1958.