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Kerala floods: 'We came with God's signature'
Fishermen turned out to be the most bankable rescue force when Kerala was reeling under the worst flooding in a century.
We came with God's signature to save people." These were the words of Shaji William, one of the fishermen, who braved raging waters and rough weather to save thousands of life in the Kerala deluge.
Where the naval commandoes and helicopters of the National Disaster Response Force could not reach, these 'sons of sea' turned out to be the most bankable rescue force when Kerala was reeling under the worst flooding in a century.
"We were considered as an uneducated, socially and economically backward community that deserved no respect. But God chose us to save these rich people who were living in big mansions."
"Rescued people offered us money and gold. We refused saying we did not come expecting any rewards. We wanted to save people's lives," said Shaji who is based in Alappuzha.
Sunil, another fisherman who spoke to Khaleej Times said they could save many families. "We are glad about it. When we reached Chengannur, stranded families had taken refuge on the second floor terraces. It was risky to reach them. But our safety was the last thing in our mind," said Sunil.
"Among the ones we saved was an old couple whose all four children were working abroad. The woman had a knee-surgery and could not stand up. The old man was a kidney patient who urgently needed dialysis. He would not have survived another day.
In another rescue trip, we had around 12 women and there were newborns. The mothers let us hold the babies saying even if they die, we should take their kids to safety. These were really touching moments for us. Now I am proud to be a fisherman. For the first time, I feel people respect me for what I am," Sunil added.
KERALA'S OWN ARMY
Local heroes now hailed as 'Kerala's own army', fishermen became the gamechangers in rescue operation when they ploughed their double-engine country boats through inland areas, where thousands of families were marooned.
Minister of fisheries, J. Mercykutty Amma, said "fishermen in 669 mechanised country boats rescued a total of 65,000 people marooned in all districts, braving the torrential rains and floods."
"Kerala will always be grateful to the fishermen. We have shown the world that if we stand united, we can face any such calamity," said Amma while facilitating the fishermen during a function in Kochi.
The heroic acts of Kerala's fishermen were even noticed by the western world. Pictires shared on social media showed a Reuters display board in the heart of London's business hub, Canary Wharf carrying the headline 'Local boatmen the heroes of flood rescue in India's Kerala.'
PROMPT RESPONSE TO RESCUE CALL
When rains and floods continued relentlessly, the government had made announcements across coastal areas urging fishermen to launch rescue operations in inland areas.
Hundreds of them plunged into action by transporting their country boats atop trucks to reach the flood-hit districts. They launched their rescue from many of Kerala's roads that had turned into rivers where access was possible only by boats.
William said his boat alone rescued around 311 people in Chengannur. "We were eight people in two boats. We started our rescue operation on August 15 at 4pm, and it continued till 8.30pm. The next two days, we would relentless work from 5.30 in the morning till 10.30 in the night."
He said most fishermen did not even have an extra pair of clothes. After each day's work, they were sleeping in wet clothes.
Many fishermen said they sustained injuries, and their boats also got damaged during the rescue.
Pathrose, 62, said he hasn't been working since last two weeks. "We are happy that people and the government appreciate what we did. But we need to keep our pot boiling. This is the season where we could easily make around Rs2000 daily. But because of the floods, we have not made a penny."
"I hope government will address our concerns and help us live with respect. That is all we need," said Pathrose.
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