The south Indian state of Kerala, reeling from the worst flooding in nearly a century, has shown remarkable resilience in battling the natural calamity. More than 350 people have been killed since the monsoon hit the state on May 29. But the toll would have been higher had the Keralites in the state not rallied around admirably to rescue hundreds of thousands of people stranded in their homes. Dams’ sluice gates had to be opened as water levels rose to dangerous levels, adding to the woes wrought by 11 days of heavy rains.
The Kerala diaspora too responded swiftly, dispatching funds and relief material to help their relatives, friends and strangers affected by the deluge. Almost all community organisations of Keralites in the UAE have set up centres around the emirates to collect relief material. Food, medicine, clothes, blankets and other aid material have been shipped to the state. The exchange houses too have weighed in by forgoing commission for payments remitted to the Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.
The UAE leadership, in keeping with the spirit of giving, lent their support, urging citizens and expatriates to pitch in help the flood victims ahead of Eid Al Adha. President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s move to set up a national emergency committee gave momentum to the UAE’s emergency relief campaign in Kerala.
The rising waters may have brought the state to its knees, but it failed to break the spirit of its people. Roads and bridges have been washed away. But fisherfolk and people from all walks of life have put themselves at risk to save the lives of others. Indian mainstream media have been accused of turning a blind eye to Kerala’s suffering. But social media rose to the occasion. The networks have been filled with not just messages of support, but also offers of shelter and food to the flood-affected. In a state, where trolling is a favourite pastime, people have come together to harness the positive power of social media to help find the people stuck on rooftops and direct boats and helicopters to pluck them to safety.
The people of Kerala have to be applauded for the way they pulled together to tide over the fury of the rain. Religion, caste, creed or social status didn’t matter. The will to live overcame all social barriers, and the willingness to help was heartwarming. It was a triumph of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
