State says big ‘thank you’ to fishermen for saving lives

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan gave the salute of the state to the fishermen who volunteered in flood rescue operations during a ceremony held at Nishagandhi Auditorium here, on Wednesday.
“When their help was needed, they didn’t think of their family or job. Government declaration of assistance came later. At that moment, they only thought of one thing; people are in danger and they are our brothers. The state salutes you,” said the chief minister.

The chief minister said that this sense of brotherhood should be sustained in future. He added that the reconstruction process will help the state emerge stronger.

As the fishermen who thronged the auditorium from various districts cheered even as chief minister spoke, Abdul Rahman, a fisherman from Kodungallur who was part of rescue operations in Aluva, was busy on his phone with his wife Nazeema. Nazeema was eager to know when her husband would be honoured. “Not everyone will be called to the stage. They have chosen representatives from each district. I will send you pictures,” he told her at the top of his voice, spreading smiles among his friends.

“She wanted to see me being honoured. It is a rare occasion which makes one feel proud of oneself, but for the distance , I would have taken my family with me, said Abdul Rahman.

The government estimates that over 70,000 people were rescued by fishermen. 4,537 fishermen from 10 districts took part in the mission. Fisheries minister Mercykutty Amma recalled the efforts of headload workers who helped load the boats in trucks and the policemen who escorted the fishermen to flood-hit areas.

“None of their contribution could be forgotten. When the first call came from Pathanamthitta for some boats, we sought the help of fishermen. When it was time to load the boats, the headload workers stepped in, lifted them like flowers and loaded them into trucks. The policemen seized trucks and ensured there were enough vehicles for transporting the boats. On the second day we even had to bring back fishermen who had gone to sea, they didn’t hesitate and returned to the shore right away,” said Mercykutty Amma who also assured that every fisherman who took part in the mission would be duly honoured, addressing a group at the venue who complained that they had been ignored.