New Delhi: Two Supreme Court judges Monday sang at a cultural programme organised by journalists covering the apex court proceedings in a bid to raise money for relief and rehabilitation of people in flood-ravaged Kerala.
Justices Kurian Joseph and K M Joseph, both hailing from Kerala, performed at the event at the auditorium of the Indian Society for International Law, opposite the Supreme Court complex. The programme was attended by the Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra and several apex court and Delhi High Court judges.
"Some may feel that this is a celebration because there are certain performances, but I would like to say this is a consolidated effort of finding energy to raise contribution for a noble cause," Justice Misra said at the event.
Justice K M Joseph, who was recently elevated to the apex court, sang a song from a classic Malayalam movie 'Amaram', which tells the story of a fisherman.
"Fishermen were the first to react when the state was reeling under severe floods. This song is a tribute to them," he said.
Justice Kurian Joseph and playback singer Mohit Chauhan sang the song 'We shall overcome someday'.
Apart from the judges several journalists also performed at the event which garnered support to the tune of Rs 10 lakh.
Apex contributions
Earlier, the SC judges contributed Rs 25,000 each to the Kerala Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. The apex court staff also pooled in a day's salary.
Attorney General K K Venugopal had contributed Rs 1 crore to the fund. Venugopal's son and senior advocate Krishnan Venugopal also contributed Rs 15 lakh to the relief fund.
Former Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi has announced a contribution of Rs 50 lakh to the flood-ravaged state.
A group of Delhi-based Malayali lawyers had initiated a collection drive and dispatched eight truck-load full of necessary supplies, including clothes, sanitary napkins, candles, baby food, water bottles and medicines in a Navy aircraft.
Justice Kurian Joseph has remained active in ensuring and arranging relief materials. He had taken part in a drive in support of lawyers collecting supplies at a collection point near the apex court.
He had also contributed a significant amount for flood relief activities for Kerala.
Senior lawyer Jaideep Singh contributed Rs 5 lakh towards the distress relief fund.
Another senior advocate Chander Uday Singh has reportedly contributed Rs 5 lakh.
On August 16, the Supreme Court Bar Association had donated Rs 30 lakh from its Calamity Relief Fund.
Deadly deluge
The deadliest deluge in Kerala in nearly a century has claimed more than 300 lives since August 8.
According to the home ministry's National Emergency Response Centre, 443 people have died in Kerala and 54.11 lakh have been severely affected in 14 districts this monsoon season.
Kerala has been receiving financial aid from various state governments across the country.
