A week ago, an auction began at a small junction at Melechinnar in Idukki around 9.30 pm. A rooster and a goat were put up for auction. The villagers came out in good numbers. The auction chant went on spiritedly. The compelling event ran late into the night and by the time it ended at 4 am, the goat was sold out for Rs 3.1 lakh while the rooster fetched Rs 4,000. On any other day, the goat would have been sold at less than Rs 15,000 and rooster would have cost around Rs 500. However, the villagers from two panchayats, Vathikudy and Nedumkandam had got together for this auction as part of raising funds for the bone marrow transplant of a fellow resident, Ginsmon, 45, who has been diagnosed with cancer.

The goat was donated for the auction by a kind farmer who did not wish to be named. The priest of Bethel St Jacob Church, ward members and residents are organising auctions and music concerts to raise Rs 20 lakh required for the transplant. Ginsmon, who is an autodriver, doesn't skip work, although he feels tired after the chemotherapy sessions in Kottayam. His wife Manju also chips in with her earnings from a private firm. Together they have ensured that the studies of their three children don't get affected.

"We are raising the amount in our own way. When we pitched the idea for the auction, one of the residents came forward and donated the goat. The participation we saw for the auction was really heartening. They kept raising the amount as much as they could and that's why the auction went on till early morning," said Rajesh Joseph, ward member, Manjappara.

Ginsmon was diagnosed with cancer in May. The transplant procedure is scheduled at the Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. Spurred by the success of the auction, the villagers are organising another auction of goat on Tuesday at Perichamkootil. "We hope to reach our target with auction and music concerts. Considering the cause, many talented singers and musicians in Idukki came forward and took part in the music concerts. We will go for another auction of goat and again it is donated by one of the villagers. Many of these people are farmers and they are willing to donate a part of their livestock which is actually their source of livelihood," said Mini Sibichan, ward member, Vathikudy panchayat.