Kerala CM Announces ₹3000 To Fishermen For Help In Rescue Mission, They Decline The Offer

After a nightmarish few weeks, Kerala has finally begun to pick up the pieces and rebuild itself. Even as people return to their flood-ravaged homes, they are ever so grateful to all those who stepped up to the need of the hour and worked day and night in rescue operations. The Indian armed forces and the Kerala police have drastically helped keep a handle on the death toll from getting any worse than it is.

Along with them, the one group who rushed to the aid of their brethren without thinking twice about their own safety was the fishermen community of Kerala.

They came from all over Kerala with their boats and played an integral part in saving a good portion of those trapped in waterlogged homes.

When the going gets tough you don't wait for super heroes, you become one #KeralaFishermen pic.twitter.com/1FrcPtK8RX

— Porinju Veliyath (@porinju) August 20, 2018

The efforts of these men saved over 1 lakh people from areas that were difficult to reach for even the task forces.

https://twitter.com/mallucomrade/status/1031086924402847744

They worked tirelessly for days with almost no sleep or food to save as many lives as they possibly could.

Moreover, their livelihoods are at a standstill now as many of their boats have been severely damaged during rescue operations.

Name : unknown
Address : unknown
But people like this, whom we call as "just fishermen" saved thousands of lives in Kerala during flood. #KeralaFloods #KeralaFloodRelief pic.twitter.com/tGgxptKO3H

— Lajo Jose (@lajojose) August 19, 2018

In an effort to thank these brave men for their services, the Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan declared a token of ₹3000 for every day of their work.

CM Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the Government will honour fishing workers who were part of the rescue mission. All boats will be granted ₹3000 for each day of their work. Government will also bear the repairing costs of boats damaged during the mission. #KeralaFloods

— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 19, 2018

He also announced that the government would be bearing the repairing costs of all boats damaged during the rescue mission.

However, one member of the fishermen community has now come forward with a message to the CM that’ll make you respect these men even more.

Khais Mohmmed from Fort Kochi posted a video message on Facebook for the CM from his community’s behalf.

In the video, Khais says:

“Yesterday, me and my fellow fishermen took our boats to go rescue those trapped in the flood. And I am proud that we took part in it.”

He reveals that he was overjoyed the next day when he heard that the CM had referred to the fishermen as Kerala’s Army.

However, he had a certain grievance to convey. He continues:

“Later the same day, I heard that the CM had declared ₹3000 for each of us. Sir, this has made me immensely sad as we do not want money for saving our brothers and sisters.”

He adds that he is however thankful to the CM for promising to bear the cost of their boat repairs.

You can watch the video here:

Since being posted 2 days back, the video has been shared over 39 thousand times and people are showering praise on Khais and his fellow fishermen for their selflessness.

Netizens are hailing these brave men as real-life superheroes for the way they came to the rescue of those in need:

REAL HEROES DON’T WEAR MASKS.

We call them “fisherman” but they are “Superman”. Some of them traveled 120 kms to Chengannur to save lives of people stranded, facing death,due to the deluge. Take a bow 🙏🙏🙏❤️✊ #KeralaFloods #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaRains pic.twitter.com/AOhANVMA4t

— Rajiv B Menon (@crypticrajiv) August 19, 2018

https://twitter.com/mallucomrade/status/1031089049254019072

Hats off to the real heroes of this rescue effort….the Fishermen of Kerala.
They brought all their boats and launched a massive coordinated evacuation. No one asked them, no one funded them…they just did it!.#KeralaFloodRescue pic.twitter.com/WG5BOxYR1G

— Dr. Ashley Jacob (@DrAshJac) August 20, 2018

These men are indeed real life superheroes if there ever were one. They came to the aid of their fellow Keralites without even being asked to and have proved how big a heart they possess. Salute to all the fishermen folk of Kerala for showing us that humanity trumps everything else at times like this.