Hanan Hamid, a Thrissur native from Kerala has garnered praise for her contribution of Rs 1.5 lakh for flood relief in the state, The News Minute reported. Hanan was reportedly trolled in August for selling fish in her uniform to fund her education, with many deeming this as a ‘publicity stunt,’ the TNM report added.
“I am merely giving back what I received from the people. Now they are all suffering and it is the least I can do,” Hanan told TNM.
The third year B.Sc Chemistry student at Al Azhar college in Thodupuzha received funds from well-wishers who reportedly extended assistance to her after being trolled.
On the second day of trolling, I started receiving money in notes of 500s and 2000s into my account. This added up to Rs 1.5 lakh. Now the people who helped me are facing huge losses and I want to give back their money.Hanan Hamid, a Thrissure native to TNM
Due to lack of mobile connectivity and banks being shut, she has been unable to donate the fund.
“So I will either transfer the amount tomorrow or directly meet and hand over the cheque to the CM in two days,” TNM reported, quoting her.
But Hamid plans to pay back the money to those who are reeling under huge losses but retain the amount she earned from doing odd jobs after college.
Her mother is staying with relatives while her brother is studying at a boarding school. Hamid is presently staying at a hospital in Kothamangalam town in the flood-ravaged district of Ernakulam where there is “water on all three sides” and no scope to step out, TNM reported.
There’s no relief in sight for Kerala, where the death toll in the devastating floods have risen to 324, with more than one lakh people living in relief camps across the state. The Indian Meteorological Department has predicted more rains in the state for the next 48 hours.
Narendra Modi took stock of the floods and rescue operations in a meeting with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the morning of 18 August. He then conducted aerial survey of the flood-hit state.
A red alert has been issued in all 14 districts. CM Pinarayi Vijayan said that water levels are expected to increase, and assured deployment of additional helicopters.
(With inputs from The News Minute.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)