If you thought doctors working in hospitals during Covid are brave men, read about the fishermen of Kerela. In Kerala the fishermen along the coast are known for their bravery. Such bravery was seen when the 2018 floods broke out in Kerala.
The genre would be courage.It is said we know the true nature of how much courage we have when we face a crisis.
Rejimon Kuttappann was a journalist when in 2018 the floods broke out. He had interviews with this fisherman. Also, extensive research was done. These fishermen did not care for the heavy downpour. They had to dive deep and did not care about having diseases or sustaining injuries.
The year was August 2018. The worst floods hit Kerela and the fishermen risked their lives to save the people of Kerela. This book is a tribute to those fishermen
The first is the case of Annama. She had a 38-year-old physically challenged son, a 71-year-old husband who was a diabetic and a 96-year-old mother in law. Her house was not only full of water but due to the rains water still flooded their house. Her son, mother in law and husband were all washed away since they were too weak and old to hold on to something. Fishermen rescued her. But she did not want to leave the dead bodies behind.
I was almost in tears when I read the above story .
Three dead bodies were removed that day. The water according to Annamma was chilling cold. There was a lot of furniture which was wiped away. Despite being hurt fisherman removed the bodies. The boats and the fisherman were from Alappuzha. Annamma still has no answer to a question: Why did these fishermen risk their lives?
Another story is about Saju. His father was unwell but as soon as he heard about the tragedy he decided to help in the rescue. About 18 boats were arranged. Men from coastal areas always carried a plastic bag which had a toothbrush soap and a change of clothes. This they kept in case they were stranded during a flood,. But Sanju had no such thing.
In many areas, the rescuers could not understand which is a road and which is a river. There were over six feet of running water. There was an aged man with an oxygen cylinder. They had to transport him also with the cylinder into the boat in a vertical position. They managed it despite the boat shaking so much.
The final chapter of the book is called “A history of Heroism”. This tells of forefathers of these fishermen had allegiance to the rulers Travancore . so I feel it is in the blood of this fisherman to be brave.
There is also a mention of Vizhinjam. He was in his late fifties. He saved around 500 people. I admire him. When asked why did he rescue people whom he did not know he said “If not who else will do it?
On 670 boasts 65,000 people were reduced. That is quite a number. It does not matter why the fisherman reduced people but we have to learn that it is humanity at its best.
Writing is simple. This is a non-fiction book. The cost is 299Rs .
#rowing#kerela
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