The recent devastating floods in Kerala showcased that people can forget their differences and rally for a good cause. Several reports spoke of people from all walks of life contributing both in cash and kind for flood-relief efforts.
One such incident that won many hearts was a benvolent gesture shown by a poor man for his suffering fellow beings. A Facebook post about a disabled old man who donated his meager savings in the form of coins has been doing the rounds on social media.
Mohanan, who begs on the streets, reached the house of TM Rasheed, former municipal chairman of Erattupetta, with a few coins and crumpled notes he intended to donate to the CM’s distress relief fund.
The Poonjar native who earlier worked as a former mahout was incapacitated after he was hit by an elephant. One of his legs got crushed in the incident, rendering him disabled. With no income to sustain he had ended up on the streets and begged for a living.
Mohanan used to read newspapers everyday and that is how he realised the magnitude of the floods that ravaged Kerala. He didn’t wait and set forth to Rasheed’s house with whatever savings he had. Rasheed, who knew Mohanan, thought he had come to ask for alms and gave him a Rs 20 note. But the old man sat on the verandah and counted his coins and some soiled notes, and then handed it over to Rasheed.
“The old man gave me Rs 94, and said, ‘Give it to chief minister sir’s fund. I don’t know how to give it. You do it for me, sir’ and left,” Rasheed said to Onmanorama.
Rasheed said that he had shared this incident on his Facebook page to inspire others. He added that he had donated the money, which Mohanan had given, to the CM’s relief fund.
Rasheed’s post has been liked by millions and is being widely shared on social media.
