Shashi Tharoor Nominates Kerala Coastal Warriors For 2019’s Nobel Peace Prize

‘History is written by ordinary men showing extraordinary courage,’ once said someone wise. Congress leader Shashi Tharoor seems to be in agreement for he wrote an impassioned letter, recommending Kerala’s fishermen for the esteemed Nobel Peace Prize.

Tharoor penned down a glowing letter of recommendation for the humble men whose deeds of courage were the main highlight of the rescue operations during the 2018 Kerala floods.

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In front of the Worli Sea Link, Mumbai’s most useful modern attraction, which has halved travel time from the airport. Pic taken from “AB Celestial”, a boat anchored on shore on which I addressed 120 schoolchildren in a marvellous interactive event by @iimunofficial

A post shared by Shashi Tharoor (@shashitharoor) on Dec 16, 2018 at 3:43am PST

The MP from Thiruvananthapuram wrote to the Chairperson of the Norwegian Nobel Committee. The Committee is responsible for the selection of eligible candidates and the choice of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates.

We bring you the highlights from the earnest letter he shared on social media-

1. He Stated That Fishermen Risked Lives and Damage to Boats (their Sole Source of Livelihood)

“It was during the height of this tragedy that fishermen groups of Kerala, at great risk to their lives and potential damage to the boats that are the source of their livelihood, jumped into the fray to save their fellow citizens,” Tharoor wrote.

2. The Socio-economically Underdeveloped Coastal Warriors Went Beyond their Means

Fishermen groups across the country represent some of the most socio-economically underdeveloped segments, Tharoor said, adding Kerala’s fishermen are no exception.

“In spite of these conditions, as their lifesaving service during the floods clearly demonstrated, there is an extraordinarily altruistic spirit that animates and drives these coastal warriors of the state,” he said.

3. He Commended their Altruistic Spirit Painting an Emotional Picture

“The lasting image of a fisherman bending low in the water so as to allow an older person he had rescued to climb on his back and get on his boat is a particularly striking reflection of this spirit that has been etched into the hearts of a grateful community,” he wrote sharing this picture.

4. Their Knowledge and Prowess Guided Other Rescue Teams

Tharoor said the fishermen took their boats inland and with their expert knowledge of the local conditions, their participation in the ongoing relief operations proved to be a gamechanger. Not only were they able to pick up stranded personnel in their vicinity. They were also instrumental in guiding boats of other rescue teams amid the swirling waters, he said.

Tharoor even tweeted screenshots of his letter. Take a closer look-

Over 488 people died in Kerala due to the rains and floods during the southwest monsoon. The worst devastation was reported in August when the state was ravaged by floods, reports HT.

Let’s hope his letter resonates with the Nobel Committee so our Coastal Warriors get credit where credit is due!