After years of being known only in limited circles, for her deep knowledge of herbal medicine, Lakshmikutty seems to be finally getting all the nationwide attention that she deserves.
Within three days of the country conferring the Padma Shri on her, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now spoken about her contributions in his monthly Mann Ki Baat radio programme.
In the programme broadcast on Sunday morning, he said that the nation honoured the ‘anonymous person’ for her contribution to the society.
“You will be pleasantly surprised listening to the story of Kerala's tribal lady Lakshmikutty. Lakshmikutty is a teacher in Kallar and still resides in a hut made of palm leaves in a tribal tract amidst dense forests. She has created 500 herbal medicines relying solely on her memory.
She has mastery in synthesizing medicines used for treatment of snake bites. Lakshmiji is continuously serving society with her knowledge of herbal medicines. She has been honoured with the Padma Shri for her contribution to society,” said the Prime Minister.
Known as the grandmother of the jungle, Lakshmikutty lives deep inside the forests of Kallar in Thiruvananthapuram district. Years back, as a youngster, she learned the various aspects of herbal treatment from her mother, who used to work as a midwife.
Among the local people, she is much sought after for the herbal medicines and treatment that she provides for snake bites and insect bites.
In 1995, the State Government chose her for the Nattu Vaidyarathnam award.
It was after this award that her expertise in herbal medicines and natural treatment became known to the outside world. A teacher at the Kerala Folklore Academy, she also pens poetry.
