Kerala boy's letter to Indian Army on rescue mission goes viral; Army posts touching reply
Kozhikode (Kerala) (PTI): A letter penned by a school student lavishing praise on soldiers involved in rescue operations in landslide-hit Wayanad has won the heart of the Indian Army, which gave him a touching reply through its social media handle.
The Southern Command of the Army posted the child's letter and their reply on the X handle recently.
Rayan, a Class 3 student of the AMLP School in this northern district, wrote down the letter in his school diary, saying that he felt "proud and happy" to see the Army men rescuing people who were stuck under debris.
"I am Rayan. My beloved Wayanad was struck by a massive landslide, creating havoc and destruction. I felt proud and happy to see you rescuing people who were stuck under debris," the child said in the Malayalam letter.
He referred to a video in which the soldiers were seen eating biscuits to sate their hunger while setting up a bridge in the ravaged area and said the sight moved him deeply.
Rayan also expressed his wish to join the Indian Army one day and protect the nation.
"That sight moved me deeply, and I aspire to join the Indian Army one day and protect the nation," he wrote in the letter.
As the letter went viral on social media platforms, the Indian Army posted a reply to the student via their X handle on August 3.
Calling the young boy a "warrior," the Army said his "heartfelt words" have deeply touched them.
"Dear Master Rayan,
Your heartfelt words have deeply touched us. In times of adversity, we aim to be a beacon of hope, and your letter reaffirms this mission. Heroes like you inspire us to give our utmost. We eagerly await the day you don the uniform and stand alongside us. Together, we will make our nation proud. Thank you, young warrior, for your courage and inspiration," the Southern Command said.
#WayanadLandslide
— Southern Command INDIAN ARMY (@IaSouthern) August 3, 2024
Dear Master Rayan,
Your heartfelt words have deeply touched us. In times of adversity, we aim to be a beacon of hope, and your letter reaffirms this mission. Heroes like you inspire us to give our utmost. We eagerly await the day you don the uniform and stand… pic.twitter.com/zvBkCz14ai
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
CPI(M) rebel Kunhikrishnan hopes for 5,000-vote win in Payyanur
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): CPI(M) rebel candidate V Kunhikrishnan, who contested as a UDF-backed Independent from Payyanur here, on Saturday said he was hoping to win the Assembly election by a margin of 5,000 votes.
Kunhikrishnan was expelled from the CPI(M) earlier this year after raising allegations of corruption in the party’s martyrs’ fund against sitting MLA T I Madhusoodanan.
Speaking to a TV channel, Kunhikrishnan said he had announced his candidature as a mark of protest and not with expectations of victory.
However, he said the situation had changed drastically, with a strong undercurrent within CPI(M) votes favouring him.
"The undercurrent in CPI(M) votes cannot be measured. Now people are giving a response indicating victory with a margin of at least 5,000 votes," he said.
Payyanur is considered a CPI(M) stronghold, and a defeat for Madhusoodanan there would be a major setback for the party.
On political violence in Payyanur, Kunhikrishnan said he had been facing it since filing his nomination.
"The people leading this violence should think about how long they can continue it. It is the police which has to take the initiative to stop this violence as part of maintaining law and order. But the police are not intervening at the required level," he said.
Regarding his political future, Kunhikrishnan said efforts were underway to strengthen Left groups, and discussions were being held across Kerala in that regard.
"After discussing with others, a decision will be taken," he said.
Kunhikrishnan is among six former CPI(M) leaders who either exited the party or were suspended before contesting for the UDF in the April 9 Assembly elections.
Elections to the 140-seat Kerala Assembly were held on April 9, and the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
