Salute to Rajesh from the High Court and the people

Life is the most precious gift of God’s creation. Nothing can replace it. Donating money and food is noble, but donating blood and organs is even more valuable. Saving another person’s life by risking one’s own life is greater than all of these. Only very few people are willing to make such a sacrifice. A person’s own life is the most precious thing to them. That is why giving up one’s life to save another is considered the greatest act of sacrifice.

Rajesh, a native of Kalliyoor in Thiruvananthapuram, has become a beloved figure among the people of Kerala after he lost his life while trying to save Benny, who was stranded on an island at Meenthulli Waterfall in Cherupuzha, Kannur. Rajesh gave his own life jacket to Benny and helped him reach safety before trying to swim back. People honour those who die fighting for the country. The Centre and state governments also provide all possible support to their families. But nothing can match the value of a human life. Saving a person who is close to death by giving away one's own life jacket is not something everyone can do. The value of risking one’s own life to save another cannot be measured. It is cruel and shameful to disrespect a young man who performed such a noble act.

Rajesh’s body was found after a three-day search. It was swollen after lying in the water for a very long time. It was the responsibility of the authorities to ensure that his body was taken respectfully by ambulance from Kannur to his home in Thiruvananthapuram. Since the journey was more than 450 km, his relatives had requested an ambulance with a freezer facility. The two ambulances available at Pariyaram Medical College did not have freezers. Private ambulance operators demanded up to Rs 35,000. There are many ambulance operators who understand the value of human life and charge a reasonable fare. But there are also some who take advantage of such situations and exploit people by charging exorbitant amounts. Officials working on behalf of the government should rise to the occasion in such situations. The Payyannur tahsildar took the position that Rs 35,000 was too high. Those responsible, however, should not have forgotten how Rajesh lost his life.

The medical college authorities who conducted the post-mortem assured the family that there would be no problem because the body had been sealed in two layers. Based on this assurance, the journey began in an ambulance without a freezer. By the time the ambulance reached Kozhikode after four hours, the condition of the body had deteriorated. After learning about the situation, the medical college superintendent spent money from his own pocket and arranged a private ambulance with a freezer facility at Chavakkad. It cost Rs 22,000. His act of humanity is exemplary.

ADM P.N. Purushothaman submitted a report to the district collector stating that serious lapses had occurred on the part of the Pariyaram Medical College superintendent and the Payyannur tahsildar. The Payyannur tahsildar said the ambulance operators had demanded an exorbitant amount. However, the authorities should first have taken steps to ensure that the body reached home safely and then reported the alleged overcharging by the ambulance operators.

Whatever the circumstances, the High Court’s salute to Rajesh, who sacrificed his life to save another person, is a great honour. Justice Devan Ramachandran also said that he was joining the family in their prayers. It is a recognition of the value and dignity given to human life. Rajesh has already received the salute of the people.