"Law Has Become Live Now", Justice Kurian Joseph Commends Lawyers' Relief Drive For Kerala Floods

Justice Kurian Joseph tirelessly volunteered himself for collecting and sorting relief materials at the collection drive organized by lawyers yesterday. He was there at the collection venue from 7 pm till midnight, and contributed his share for the Kerala flood relief work. Justice K M Joseph sent his contributions through Justice Kurian Joseph.

After the relief materials were packed and loaded on trucks, he commended the spirit of lawyers, remarking - "Law has become live now".

The materials were collected from 4.30 PM onwards, at the ILI campus opposite Supreme Court.  Materials like bed sheets, nighties, t-shirts, sanitary napkins, diapers, biscuits, rusk, maida, dal,undergarments etc. were collected. Hordes of Delhi lawyers turned up at the venue to make generous contributions, which came to about 8 truck loads.

The Navy will carry the relief materials to Kerala in a special aircraft today.

Relief materials being transported in trucks

An idea which developed over a coffee

The idea behind the collection drive was developed by few SC lawyers over a coffee. One of them had a personal contact at the Navy. On making enquiries, the Navy informed that a special aircraft was going to Kerala on Sunday, and they offered willingness to accommodate the relief materials.  Immediately, arrangements were made for setting up the centre at ILI campus, and message was circulated through social media.

From 4.30 onwards, collection started. Many young lawyers actively worked non-stop.The volunteers were pleasantly surprised at the fact that Justice Kurian chose to stay at the premises till midnight. The presence of a senior SC judge amongst them charged up the volunteers. He was seen lending a helping hand for collecting and sorting materials. He arranged food for the loading workers and drivers. Inspired by Justice Kurian Joseph's efforts, his personal security staff too made contributions, stating that they have never worked with a such a man ever before.

Justice Kurian pic.twitter.com/exbeuDPcR5

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) August 18, 2018

SC lawyers collection drive for Kerala. #KeralaFloodRelief #KeralaFloods2018 #KeralaSOS pic.twitter.com/knb6nexS4s

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) August 18, 2018

On knowing about the collection drive, help started pouring in from different places like IIT, JNU, RML Hospital, AIIMS etc. Several textile retailers, who were surprised at the sudden increase in bulk purchases of similar materials, made enquiries out of curiosity. Upon knowing about the relief drive, a few of them also made contributions.

Knowing about the collection drive, a street play group Janasamskriti reached the spot, and offered help with loading work. After the loading work was over, they made a special song performance, lifting the spirits of the volunteers.

Justice Joseph's was a heart-warming gesture.  

Attorney General K K Venugopal has donated Rupees One Crore to the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund. Senior Advocate Jaydeep Gupta donated Rupees Ten Lakhs and Senior Advocate C U Singh  donated Rupees Five Lakhs to the fund. The Supreme Court Bar Association has initiated a fund raising drive, and has transferred Rupees 30 lakhs. Live Law has contributed medicines worth Rs.50,000 for the time being.

Kerala is facing an unprecedented crisis, as it is hit by the worst-floods in 100 years.  After heavy monsoon downpour, 35 dams have been opened and 44 rivers are overflowing, deluging most towns of the state across its length and breadth, resulting in loss of about 300 lives. More than 3 lakhs homes and 10,000 kilometers of road have been destroyed. The loss caused is estimated to be about Rs.19,000 crores. Lakhs of persons are reported to have been displaced and shifted to relief camps. Relief and rescue operations are being undertaken by team under National Disaster Response Force.