PERNEM
It was a sea of emotion at the Mandrem Church where relieved family members accorded a heart-warming welcome to the 10 flood survivors from Ashvem-Mandrem who returned from Kerala on Sunday.
Amidst a rising toll in the flood-ravaged southern state, some 100 stranded Goans were moved to safety by rescue teams and 10 of them were from Ashvem-Mandrem who had gone to the Divine Retreat Centre at Potta.
Teary-eyed family members and friends were seen pouring out their joy and profusely thanking social worker Jeet Arolkar for his self-sacrificing efforts in helping the stranded pilgrims return.
According to reports, the 10 residents had gone for a pilgrimage to Potta on August 10 by train. They landed in Kerala on August 11 and after completing their pilgrimage were set to return to Goa on August 15. However, nature’s fury in Kerala left them stranded and they lost contact with their families back home in Ashvem.
GTDC director Arolkar who is a local businessmen got the news that more than 100 Goans are stranded in the floods at Kerala and out of which 10 are from Ashvem-Mandrem. He immediately visited the families of flood-affected people and found their location and began arranging for their return.
The flood-affected Goans at Potta also had to go without food for two days. Meanwhile, more than 100 Goan pilgrims and tourists who were moved to safety from the flood-hit areas have also boarded a train for Goa from Kerala.
Arolkar contacted his close aides working in the Indian Navy and sent them the location of the Ashvem-Mandrem residents. Due to high water levels and gushing flow of flood waters, rescue team faced difficulties but managed to reach the group and provide them with food and water.
Once the flood waters receded they were then brought to Kochi in the wee hours of Saturday. Arolkar had already left for Bangalore with his team, where they booked hotels and flight tickets for the Ashvem residents. A tempo traveller was sent to Kochi to bring them to Bangalore on Saturday night and they landed safely in Goa on Sunday morning. All the 10 flood survivors were dropped to the Mandrem church where they were accorded a warm welcome by their family members, relatives and friends.
Speaking to The Goan, a resident of Junaswada-Mandrem Albert D’Souza said he pleaded before many residents to rescue his wife in Kerala but no one bothered.
“My wife said over phone she did not have any option and death was imminent. But when I contacted Jeet Arolkar, he immediately came to my rescue and brought back my wife safely,” D’Souza said.
Flood survivor Severina Britto said they will never forget Arolkar’s efforts.
“We saw death before our eyes, but Jeet came forward as a messiah. We were stuck in the floods for days but the rescue team present there took good care of Mandrem residents,” Britto added.
Speaking to The Goan Arolkar appealed to the people not to politicise the issue, adding that he stepped in on humanitarian grounds. “I have got the blessing of the flood survivors and their family members which matters most. I am happy to see all the residents return home safely,” he said.
