Malayalees show their brotherhood once again
KERALITES demonstrated their grit and brotherhood one more time when they stood in awe and united in braving a grave tragedy that claimed the lives of 49 people, including 23 Malayalees in the Kuwait fire.
People stayed glued to their TVs and grief loomed over the state after news about the inferno broke out. Their hearts went out to the victims’ kin who were struggling to come to terms with their devastating loss.
The Malayalee diaspora went through one of the most horrific days in their lives last Wednesday when scores died in the massive fire in a building in Mangaf in Kuwait.
An investigation by authorities found that the fire started because of an electrical short circuit in the security guard's room on the ground floor of the six-storey building.
An Indian Air Force plane transported the mortal remains to Kochi. Union Minister of State VK Singh, who promptly travelled to Kuwait on Thursday, accompanied the bodies on the flight.
There was a line-up of VVIPs at the airport to receive the mortal remains, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Opposition leader V D Satheesan, state ministers, MPs, MLAs and officials, besides grieving relatives, friends and common people.
The airport authorities promptly completed the formalities in record time and each body was transported to the respective places in ambulances, each piloted by a police jeep.
Offers of financial aid from various quarters reveal how concerned the Malayalee diaspora is.
K G Abraham, founder and managing director of the NBTC Group and chairman of the KGA Group, the employer, announced on Saturday that the legal heirs of the fire accident will be given Rs 8 lakh, besides the insurance amount equivalent to four years of salary.
He also assured that the dependants of the victims will be given preference in jobs.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for the families of the deceased. Modi assured that the Indian government would provide all possible assistance to the affected families.
The Kerala government has also stepped in to support the families announcing a financial aid package of Rs 5 lakh to the families of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh for those injured.
Kuwait has announced financial compensation for all the deceased.
UAE-based businessman M.A. Yusuff Ali has promised cash compensation of approximately Dh 22,000 to the families in Kerala.
Another Dubai-based businessman Ravi Pillai has also offered aid of approximately Dh 9,000 to the families.
Qatar-based businessman J K Menon has announced Rs 2 lakh (nearly QR8,700) financial assistance.
The only association of professional colleges in Kerala - Chamber of Kerala Colleges - has offered free education for the children of the deceased.
World Malayalee Voice also joins the legion in extending its warmest condolences to the bereaved families.
May the hands that have contributed generously become more prosperous.
