THRISSUR: Jyothilakshmi, who learned to climb coconut trees at the age of fifteen, participated in sports competitions at the age of forty-six and won three medals, including gold. Kunnamkulam Vellarakkadu native Jyothilakshmi won gold in the 800m sprint, silver in the 1,500m sprint and bronze in the 3,000m walk at the Kerala Masters Athletics Championship held last week. She is now gearing up to participate in the national meet in February.

A few months ago, she had come third in a seven-kilometre sprint in Mannuthy. Those who were there that day told her about the athletic meet for people above 45 years of age in Kasargod. A temporary attendant at Mannutthy Veterinary College, Jyothi practised for two-and-a-half hours in the morning and evening for a week before the competition. She had no idea about the methods of competition. However, she did not seek anyone's help.

There were 30 coconut trees and 270 areca palms cultivated in one acre of her ancestral home. Jyothi, who was interested in learning and trying anything, tried to climb the coconut trees and areca palms near the house after making a 'thalappu' just for fun. At first, she slipped but later started successfully climbing on coconut trees. She even gave coconuts to the locals for free. She also used to climb on palm trees and mango trees. She used to teach students to climb coconut trees when she worked as a temporary assistant in the physical education department of the college.

Ready to do anything
Jyothi had worked as a Temporary Computer Instructor at Kunnamkulam Polytechnic College. She had also trained the inmates of Viyyur Jail in computers. Jyothi was the one who cut the grass with a machine in the veterinary college. She learned it from YouTube. She knows plumbing as well. She also does computer design and typing for the needy. Daughter: Niranjana.