Nedumkandam: For B Rejimon of Kelamthara, Koottar, his Vinayak Traveller van was more than just a vehicle — it was his biggest dream. But on the 18th of this month, that dream was swept away like driftwood in the fierce floods that tore through the Koottar river. Watching the van disappear beneath the raging waters was a heartbreaking sight for everyone around.

Now, that same riverbank has witnessed a touching scene — one that brought tears of joy instead of sorrow. Rejimon’s three close friends have come together to gift him a new Vinayak to replace the one destroyed by the flood. The key handover took place right beside the Koottar bridge, where the old van was washed away.

The generous friends — Anjitha, Subin, and another who wished to remain unnamed — are IT engineers from Kannur currently working in Bengaluru. Since they couldn’t travel home, they entrusted their friends Rahinlal and Ashokan to hand over the keys on their behalf. The new van, purchased from Ettam Mile in Idukki, features 19 seats — two more than the previous 17-seater — and costs ₹14.5 lakh.

Drivers Santhosh and Raj Krishnamenon (Appu), who had been deeply saddened by the loss of the old van, were overjoyed by the gift. The entire village joined in their happiness. From the moment the Vinayak was swept away, the people of Koottar had been working tirelessly to retrieve it. It was Rejimon’s friends who even risked their lives wading into the floodwaters to try and secure the van. Though they eventually managed to pull it ashore, it was completely wrecked.

Rejimon shared that his friendship with the group goes back eight years. What began as a professional relationship when he worked as their driver gradually grew into a deep bond of friendship. “What they’ve done for me is something I can never repay,” said an emotional Rejimon.

Driver Appu said that ever since their beloved Vinayak was lost in the flood, they had been devastated. “Now the sorrow has lifted. The new van is here, and we’ve already resumed operations. Bookings have started coming in, and we’re all truly happy,” he said.