Finally, help arrives for Pettimudi couple in misery

Munnar: An unsound couple survived the horrific landslide at Pettimudi early this year only to undergo further misery. Finally, the duo, Madasamy and Dharmathai, have found a glimmer of hope.

Authorities of the refuge shelter called Snehamandiram at Padamugham in Idukki met the couple in Munnar on Thursday, offering to care for them.

Manorama had the other day reported about the plight of Madasamy and Dharmathai, who survived the horrendous Pettimudi landslide in Idukki district that claimed 62 lives, including 19 children, in August.

The couple, both suffering from mental illness, have been living at the Shikshak Sadan in Munnar for the past four months. Though they have a roof over their heads, food is scarce and they are left starving on most of the days.

After coming across the Manorama news report, Snehamandiram director V C Raju and former Vazhathope panchayat president K M Jalaludheen met the District Collector, offering to bring the couple under their care.

As per the Collector's instructions, Devikulam Tehsildar K Radhakrishnan and deputy tehsildar M E Subair, and Munnar village officer M M Siddique went to the Shikshak Sadan to complete the formalities.

Though the Snehamandiram authorities arrived on Thursday to take the couple along with them, the latter needed to undergo the COVID-19 tests and obtain the necessary certificates. The revenue authorities would complete the formalities and hand them over to Snehamandiram on Friday.

Snehamandiram director Raju said that both of them need to undergo treatment for mental well-being and special care would be given to them.