The recent floods that ravaged the State saw the floodgates of humanitarian aid open.
When governments, firms, institutions, organisations and individuals reached out to the flood victims in many ways they could, a young man from Kottakkal silently performed yeoman service by volunteering to dry-clean the clothes, mats, curtains, blankets and carpets damaged in the floods.
Mohammed Fazil never tom-tommed the free laundry service he performed. Without making any announcements through the social media, Mr. Fazil went about collecting the clothes and other materials soaked in mud through a house-to-house campaign.
Within a few days, he covered a large number of houses between Vengara and Malappuram. No matter rich or poor, people at Panakkad, Hajiyarpalli, Iringalloor and Kuzhipuram found great solace in his service at a time when the floods had chipped away at their financial and moral strength.
“Although silent, Fazil’s was a great help in the time of floods,” said M. Mustafa, a contractor from Hajiyarpalli.
Mr. Fazil declined the rewards many of his beneficiaries offered him after he returned their damaged clothes and curtains in a fine form.
“For me, the work was nothing new. True it involved a lot of work as the clothes were soaked in mud. But if I can’t offer my service now, when can I?” he told The Hindu. He has still been getting calls from the flood-affected people.
Impressed by his service, Indian Union Muslim League State president Syed Hyderali Shihab Thangal of Panakkad offered him a reward, but it was politely turned down.
Mr. Fazil, however, did not confine his service to free laundry. Along with his friends, he spent several days in the worst-hit areas of Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta districts providing relief materials at a time when they were most needed.