Kerala Floods: A Kerala fisherman offered his back for women to step on and get onto rescue boats
A leader of fishermen, who have won widespread praise by rescuing hundreds caught up in the Kerala floods, on Monday refused to accept Rs 3,000 offered to each member of the community by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Khais Mohmmed from Fort Kochi said in a video post that he and his colleagues were happy to hear the words of praise from the chief minister for the role they played in going to the remotest areas amid pouring rain and dangerous waters to rescue the marooned.
"We are really happy that I and my friends rescued several people. What made us happier was when you said that we (fishermen) are your army.
"But after that we heard that for our services we will be paid Rs 3,000. Sir, that made us really sad as we do not want money for saving the lives of fellow humans," Mr Mohmmed said.
He, however, added that all the fishermen were happy that the government had promised to repair their damaged boats free of cost.
"That's good news. But we do not want money for saving lives," he added.
Fishermen from major fishing centres reached the worst-hit Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts with their boats after unprecedented rains and the opening of sluice gates of dams spread misery.
(Kerala has to rebuild itself after the worst floods in over a century. Hundreds have died and lakhs are homeless. Here is how you can help.)