Kerala floods: From kids with large hearts to beggar with rich thoughts

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala floods did see the nation come together. While some got their feet dirty and rescued plenty in distress, others provided monetary help. From money saved for heart operation to piggy bank savings, kids too came forward with large hearts to donate for relief measures. However, the latest citizen to come forward with his money to help people of God's own country, is a pure example of compassion.

A beggar named Mohanan, a resident of Poonjar in the Kottayam district of Kerala, donated Rs 94 to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Last week, he walked 4 kilometres to meet the former municipal chairman of Erattupetta, TM Rasheed. When Rasheed met him, he thought that he has come for money and offered him a Rs 20 note.

Instead, Mohanan, who was in rags, sat on the steps of Rasheed’s house and counted the coins that he received as alms. After counting, he told Rasheed to donate this amount on his behalf to the CMDRF as he did know how to do it himself. Having said this much, he left the coins with Rasheed and headed out.

According to data sought from the government and NGOs, Kerala beggars, on an average, earn between Rs 200 to Rs 1500 a day. Kerala being a literate State, beggars there do know to read and write to a large extent. Though not a matriculation pass, Mohanan could read the newspapers, through which he learnt about the CMDRF.

Municipal chairman Rasheed took to Facebook to share the incident and made sure that Mohanan’s contribution reaches the CMDRF.

 

Sharing the story he wrote, “These coins. They came in search of my house to find their place in the chief minister's relief fund. This former mahout counted them and left Rs 94 with me before leaving.”

Mohanan reportedly met with an accident and thus is physically unfit to work. That's the reason he is forced to beg today.
 

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