Good Samaritans of Karimadom Colony

Thiruvananthapuram: It has been more than a week since A Akbar, a tyre repair shop owner, opened his shop at Attakulangara. But he is not sitting idle in his home either.

Akbar, along with his friends and neighbours in the

Karimadom Colony

, has taken up a task: To provide food for

guest workers

staying near their colony.

Three days ago Rafeek M, a taxi driver, who has not been going for work due to the janatha curfew and lockdown, told the Karimadom colony residents about the plight of guest labourers. Soon, they collected utensils from a resident who has cutlery rental services and started preparing food for around 60 people. However, when they completed the task, there was sufficient food for around 120 people.

“A friend informed me that the guest workers were living without food as they could not go out during lockdown to purchase provisions. With no work, it has become difficult for them to buy food. So, I thought of collecting money to prepare some food. But, later when I discussed the same with my friends in the colony, they came forward to prepare the and serve them food,” said Rafeek.

“We have been sitting idle at home for past one week due to lockdown. The idea to make food collectively kept us busy all these days. Three days ago, we made idli and sambar for around 120 people for dinner. The next day’s breakfast was also arranged. The Fort police station officers helped us in collecting and distribution of food as it wasn’t safe for us to distribute it directly,” said Sudheer K, an autorickshaw driver from the colony.

People in the colony also pooled in money to buy three sacks of rice for the guest labourers.

“We were told that they prefer to cook the food themselves and requested us to provide them provisions. We also collected some money and bought rice for them on Sunday. On Monday morning, officials informed us that a community kitchen has been started at Manacaud and they will supply food for the labourers,” said Akbar.