First woman in India to get deep sea fishing license; Rekha Karthikeyan struggling to make both ends meet

THRISSUR: The life of Rekha Karthikeyan, India's first woman to get a deep sea fishing license, is now in a state of misery after her boat was taken by the sea. Her fibre boat, a net and two engines, which were bought on loan and with the help of good friends, sank in the sea a month ago.

Equipment worth more than six lakh rupees went down in the sea. Rekha has applied to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and the Fisheries Department and is awaiting a favorable decision. Rekha's boat capsized on June 3. Karthikeyan, her husband, had gone on the boat in the early morning with two people. Rekha stayed at home due to illness. The sea was churning in the heavy rain. At dawn the nets were full of fish. The net had to be cut as the boat would have sunk if the net was pulled. Meanwhile, the boat started to capsize. The three screamed and approached the distant fishing boat, but the boat capsized. They then boarded the boat and the boatmen informed the Coastal Police. When the boat was tied to the rescue boat and pulled, the rope broke and the boat sank. Karthikeyan met with the accident when he was trying to get his life back together after heart surgery.

Six years since getting the license

Rekha's childhood home is at Chettuva Engandiyoor Ethai Beach. Only two houses remain here after the sea attack. It has been a decade and a half since Rekha has been going to the sea. Rekha was boarding a boat to survive. She got her license six years ago. Rekha has four daughters. The eldest daughter Maya is married. Anjali is studying in degree third year, Devpriya is studying in Plus two and Laxmipriya is studying in 10th standard. Their life depended on the meagre income they got after fishing expenses. When the fish were scarce, the cost of living was found by clamming.

'At least my husband's life is safe. That is the only relief. Children have to be educated, medicine bought, debts paid off. I don't know what to do."

- Rekha Karthikeyan