While Kerala continues to battle one of the most devastating floods to have hit the state in the last century, citizens are joining hands to offer donations as well as to volunteer in rescue operations. Donations are pouring in from many citizen-based groups and Samaritans. However, a novel gesture by a senior journalist in Kerala is getting all the accolades.
PM Manoj, resident editor of Deshabhimani, CPI(M)’s mouthpiece has cancelled his daughter’s engagement and has donated the assigned money to Chief Minister Distress Relief Fund. The engagement ceremony of his daughter Devi and Advocate Gokul (groom) was scheduled to be held on August 19 at his residence in Kuthuparamba, Kannur. But due to the unprecedented rainfall and floods, both the families have decided to postpone the function. The families have instead decided to donate the money that was meant for the occasion.
Manoj wrote a Facebook post regarding the same for which he is getting appreciation from many quarters. “The engagement and of my daughter Devi and Advocate Sudhakaran, son Advocate Gokul, was scheduled for August 19. However, the unforeseen natural disaster that Kerala has been facing, the function is being cancelled. Both our families have decided to donate the money that we had set aside to the Distress Relief Fund of the Chief Minister,” he said in the post.
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said that the death toll has reached 324 since August 8. More than 2 lakh people are living in relief camps across the state. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit the state for an aerial survey of the state. As per the rough estimates, crops and properties worth over Rs 8,000 crore have been damaged in the floods, The Times of India reported.
