Medical College Hospital alumni help out Puttingal victims' kin

Thiruvananthapuram: It has not yet been a year since Krishna, 15, and Kishore, 12, were orphaned by Puttingal temple fireworks tragedy which killed 111 devotees. Around 21 people including them who had lost loved ones and 21 others suffering from permanent health issues were given Rs 12 lakh by the alumni of Medical College Hospital on Sunday. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was the chief guest at the programme held at the 65th annual day celebrations-cum-alumni meet. Tourism minister Kadakampally Surendran said the society had not yet been able to learn lessons from the Puttingal tragedy. “That is why there are still protests against banning fireworks,” he said.

While those who lost breadwinners of the family were given aid of Rs 10 lakh by the state that won’t solve the problems, says many victims who thanked MCH alumni. For instance, painter Jinu had died after being hit by concrete block while standing half a kilometre away from the blast spot. He left an unemployed wife and daughter studying in Class X. “The money was split into half for children and his parents. So a lump sum amount won’t be a replacement to breadwinner,” said his mother-in-law who did not wish to be identified. American Associations of Physicians of India, American Association of Medical graduate and alumni raised the money.