K.P. Jaisal, a fisherman from Tanur who turned himself into a footstep for a few women to board a rescue boat during the floods of August, has been given a fibre speed boat by multinational Carnival Group.

Minister for Higher Education K.T. Jaleel handed over the boat to Mr. Jaisal at a function held at Tanur on Monday.

The Minister said the rescue boat would remain a symbol of the people’s response to the humanitarian act of Mr. Jaisal.

Mr. Jaisal had won international attention when he bent himself in knee-deep water to help some women board an inflated dinghy during a rescue operation.

source – below: www.youtube.com / ManoramaOnline

Visuals go viral

The visuals showing the women boarding the boat by stepping on Mr. Jaisal’s back had gone viral, turning him an instant hero of the floods rescue.

The rescue boat will be available for service under the trauma care unit of Tanur, of which Mr. Jaisal is an active member.

Mr. Jaleel praised the humanitarian deeds of Mr. Jaisal and the trauma care unit.

The Minister said the floods had taught us a lesson that we would overcome any difficulty by upholding the spirit of humanity.

Tanur municipal chairperson C.K. Subaida presided. She too offered to support the rescue efforts being conducted by the trauma care unit of Tanur. Carnival Group representative R. Gopikrishnan delivered the keynote address. Group director K.S. Sasikumar gave away kits of stationery and study materials to poor students.

Trauma care unit members, personnel of the police, Fire and Rescue Services, Kerala State Electricity Board and Revenue Department were felicitated on the occasion.