Kozhikode: Fathima Hameed arrived with a kit full of biscuit packets for the flood victims of Alappuzha and Kottayam districts. “My son contributed Rs 218 from his piggy bank and I put in Rs 32. He went to school saying that we too should do something about the floods,” she said.
Mohammed Fahad, a class-10 student of Savio School, Devagiri, was in fact adopted by Fathima, wife of Hameed. She stays near the dairy at Palazhi. All the five children she had given birth to had died early. Subsequently she had adopted Fahad.
During the Ockhi cyclone last year also, Fahad had handed over Rs 4,000 he had collected from various people to the district administration. This time, Fahad and Fathima had decided to donate rice. However, officials told them that rice would not be accepted. Following which, Fathima took 2 kg pulses and the biscuits to the district tourism promotion council office.
The district administration had made arrangements to collect materials from the public at the office. Inmates of the relief camps were supplied these materials under the supervision of the administration.
Collector U V Jose flagged off the vehicles carrying the items to the flood victims. Among those present were assistant collector S Anju, district supply officer P Manoj, tahsildar K T Subrahmanian and DTPC secretary Binoy Venugopal. Members of organisations representing businessmen were also present.
On Thursday, two loads of food items and three loads of drinking water were sent. In total, 8 ton of food were distributed. Individuals and institutions had donated materials weighing 1 kg to 2 ton. Those interested in joining the cause can still donate. “This gesture reflects the affection of the residents of Kozhikode to the flood-hit people. We had contacted the collectors of the affected districts. Based on their requests, we are sending the items on two trucks. Students, housewives and leading businessmen as well as associations have joined the effort,” said the district collector U V Jose.
