Kannur: During heartwrenching times, acts of benevolence instil hope and the urge to stride. The compassionate act of a differently-abled beedi worker in Kannur district of Kerala has won hearts. The beedi worker donated Rs 2 lakh to Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) to aid Kerala Government in Covid vaccine rollout, leaving just Rs 850 in his account.
“Yesterday, an aged man walked into the bank. Handed over the bank passbook and enquired about his account balance. When I informed him that he has a balance of Rs 2,00,850, he said Rs 2,00,000 must be transferred to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF),” Sounder Rajan, a bank employee shared the story on Facebook without identifying the man as per his request.
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Overwhelmed by the beedi worker's selflessness, people in the state were intrigued to know who he is. The man was later identified as Janardhanan, a resident of Kuruvayil in Kannur.
It is learnt that even the bank employees, who were taken by surprise, asked him to give a second thought as he we will be left with only Rs 850.
However, Janardhanan insisted that the amount be transferred and said that he has been receiving welfare pension for disability and gets about Rs 1000 a week from rolling beedis. “That is enough and more for me to live”, he said.
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Kerala Chief Minister had announced in a press meet that Covid vaccine would be administered for free to every citizen in the state. Janardhanan said this statement by the CM prompted him to donate his savings towards the cause.
CM Pinarayi Vijayan also lauded Janardhanan’s contribution and his compassion for fellow human beings in this time of crisis, without mentioning his name.
Donations have been pouring into the CMDRF following a social media campaign initiated by netizens themselves urging one another to donate vaccine price to the fund.
