Perambra/Kozhikode: Kozhikode nurse Lini Puthussery is one of those unforgettable faces who died fighting the deadly Nipah virus outbreak in Kozhikode in June.
She was on the battlefront, taking care of those affected till she contracted the virus. Lini's final handwritten letter to her husband, Sajeesh, had moved Kerala to tears.
The Kerala state government had offered a compensation of Rs 20 lakh and a public sector job for Sajeesh. Now, two months after Lini's demise, the state is making a payback to her as Sajeesh joined as a clerk at the Koothali primary health center, Perambra, on Monday.
“A government job for me was a long-term dream of Lini. Now that I have joined the state government service as a clerk, I am realizing her dreams one by one,” Sajeesh told Onmanorama from his new office.
Sajeesh had been working as an accountant in a private firm in Bahrain when Lini breathed her last at Perambra.
“Our children are taking time to cope up with life without their mother. The elder one joined UKG (level2 kindergarten) this year. They are playing and growing up with my sister's children now. Yet, I find it difficult to answer when they suddenly ask about their mother,” Sajeesh said.
New office
The Koothali primary health center is about 25 km from Sajeesh's residence at Chembanoda. Sajeesh had made an FB post on July 22 expressing his gratitude to all those who stood by him through tough times.
Final letter
“Lini left me and our two children, leaving behind so many unfulfilled dreams. Her sudden demise left me in a shock and I was clueless on answering my children's queries about their mother. I struggled to survive in solitude. Slowly, I realized that the rest of my life should be in terms with what she wrote to me in her final letter. Without losing my mind, I held both my sons close to my heart and took a vow that I shall live my life to fulfill my wife's final wishes. I draw inspiration from her selfless dedication to her profession,” Sajeesh said in his Facebook post.
Thanks, says Sajeesh
He also did not forget to express his gratitude for those who stood by him through tough times. “Respected chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, minister for health KK Shailaja, minister for labor and excise TP Ramakrishnan, state youth commission chairperson Chintha Jerome, district and block panchayat members and the leaders of various political parties... I remember all of you with great gratitude as you all stood by me when I was struggling to accept Lini's demise. I also remember the doctors, nurses and other health staff who took care of Lini during her final moments, with respect and honor,” he added.
Sajeesh also thanked various employees associations, action groups and the media for offering his family adequate support.
