“There's nothing more satisfying than putting a smile on some other’s face.” The hero I portrayed in my latest movie is driven by this mantra. Charlie just refuses to leave me; even months after completing the shoot for the film.
If somebody tells me that those people who are ready to do anything to help others, sometimes even risking their own life, can be found only in movies, I have now reasons to argue with them and prove them wrong.
The year 2015 has given us a number of real-life heroes who displayed remarkable courage, selflessness and fortitude in the face of danger, to save the lives of fellow human beings.
I take this as an opportunity to remember their supreme sacrifice and unmatched compassion. The glorious deeds of these valiant and kindhearted real-life heroes should make all of us proud:
Naushad’s legendary act of valour
Naushad, the autorickshaw driver from Kozhikode who died while trying to save two migrant labourers who fell into a manhole, remains a painful memory. The real hero of 2015, Naushad became the epitome of compassion and selflessness by embracing death while attempting to save two strangers who got trapped inside the sewer on November 26.
It was around 10.45 am. Naushad was waiting for his routine cup of tea at hotel in the city when he heard some noises outside. He rushed to the spot and found two migrant labourers trapped inside the manhole. Ignoring the warnings of the people who gathered near the sewage, he entered through the manhole to save them. One of the labourers who was drowning tried to climb up by clinging on Naushad's leg. Losing his balance, Naushad too fell into the death trap. Within minutes the three became unconscious inhaling the toxic gas that gushed out of the manhole.
Naushad was ready to turn a Good Samaritan whenever a tragedy occurred in the area. The thirty-two-year-old hailing from Karuvissery on the city outskirts was at the forefront to rescue a child from drowning at the sea at Kappad beach and to douse off the fire when a bus went up in flames at Mavoor a couple of months back.
He shouldered the responsibility of his family at a young age of 15. Naushad, the lone breadwinner of the family, is survived by mother Asmabi and wife Safeena. He was facing severe financial problems after constructing a house and buying an autorickshaw. Naushad’s financial condition worsened after marrying off his sister.
I would like to convey my most heartfelt condolences to his mother. “Dear mother, you should be proud of giving birth to such a brave son. My sister Safeena, it is an irreparable loss, but I request you to have courage to handle the situation in much more positive way. Naushad is a symbol of courage and compassion and you should be proud of your husband. Naushad makes me bow down my head with respect and devotion. The memories of people like you and the lessons you have taught us make life meaningful and worth living.”
A tree of virtues called Babu
On December 23, Babu could have stood as a mute spectator like anyone else when an unknown person went drowning in the Banasura reservoir in Wayanad. But Babu did not think twice before jumping into the deep waters to save a life.
Son of Vasu, a daily-wage labourer, and Anitha, the family was heavily dependent on Babu to take their life forward. He was planning to become a JCB operator and was working as an assistant as part of training.
Babu was working in the field when he heard the desperate calls from people to save a youth who drowned in the dam waters while taking bath. Unaware of the risk involved, Babu jumped into the water ignoring the suggestions of onlookers to use a rope to reach out to the victim. Apparently, he was also swept away by the strong currents of the water.
The entire village waited with prayers hoping that both of them would be saved, however, the frantic rescue efforts made by the fire and rescue personnel and local people did not yield any result. Babu’s body was fished out in the evening while the body of Rouf, an engineer hailing from Chennalode near Kalpetta, was recovered the next day.
Social media was instrumental in spreading the news of Babu’s bravery and ultimate sacrifice. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who paid a visit to his residence last week, said: “Babu’s life teaches us great lessons of selflessness and sacrifice.”
“Babu’s parents have lost their dear child on whom they had pinned their all hopes. That void cannot be filled. However, dear father and mother, Babu’s sacrifice will be etched in our memory, forever.”
The unflinching spirit of Gilda
Gilda Preman, a first year BA Philosophy student of Sree Kerala Varma College, Thrissur, showed the world the real meaning of and care and kindness.
Daughter of Kizhupillikkara Pattath Preman and Geetha of Thriprayar, the 19-year-old Gilda was on her way back home from college on a bus on the evening of November 25. A woman who was sitting in the front seat of the bus complained of chest pain and fainted. While the other passengers panicked and kept themselves away from the victim, Gilda came forward and offered her a bottle of drinking water. Then she told the conductor to rush the bus to the district hospital. Apart from Krishnapriya, a native of Peringottukara, no other passengers offered a helping hand to Gilda.
Though the driver stopped the bus in front of the hospital, the other travellers refused to help her to take the patient to the hospital. Without wasting time, Gilda ran to a nearby autorickshaw stand and sought the help of the drivers there. She took the lady to the hospital with the help of one of the drivers.
Later, the doctors told Gilda that the lady had suffered a heart attack and she survived only because of the timely medical aid she got.
Rosily, a native of Kaloor, was the person who returned to life due to Gilda’s kindness and timely action. She was working as a housemaid at Olari in Thrissur and was returning home when she suffered cardiac arrest.
The next day, when Gilda visited Rosily who was recuperating in the hospital, the latter cried holding Gilda’s hand for some time. Now, she phones Gilda almost every day to express her gratitude in reciprocation of the young girl’s extraordinary gesture.
“Gilda, you are my hero. I would like to thank you on behalf of all Malayalees. I have a request to all my friends reading this. If you come across such incidents in your life, you should never refrain from springing into action instantaneously. A single moment of care and kindness could save a life. Let Gilda be our role model and heroine!”
Binoy refuses to fade from memory
Binoy was travelling with his family on a bus when he came across an accident on the road. When he tried to get down from the bus his wife Sunitha asked him: “Are you leaving us alone?”. He told her to continue the journey and said he would be back after taking the accident victims to hospital.
Binoy, however, never returned home.
The family was returning from church when the driver of the bus in which were travelling stopped the vehicle after seeing a large crowd on the road. After learning that two people were grievously injured in an accident, Binoy alighted from the bus and accompanied one of the injured to the hospital. Unfortunately, the vehicle carrying the victim Pallikkunnu Varghese of Pampady, met with an accident, killing both the injured and Binoy on the spot.
He was working as a daily-wage labourer. The couple has two children, Nevin and Ebin. The family lives in a house with thatched roof on a five-cent plot. Local people remember him as a genuine person who always found time to help others. Binoy was struggling to raise money for the treatment of his elder child. Now, Sunitha’s parents live with them.
“Dear Nevin and Ebin, go ahead and lead a life of dignity. People like us, who accord top priority to our own safety and wellbeing are mere material beings when compared to your great father. Always feel proud of being the children of that man!”