Thiruvananthapuram: A Kerala woman who received much praise a few years back for becoming the first woman to obtain a licence for deep sea fishing is now in deep crisis after her boat was damaged in rough sea about a month back.
Rekha K C of Chettuva in Kerala's Thrissur district obtained the fishing licence in 2018.
She used to go for fishing with her husband Karthikeyan to eke out a living for their family comprising four daughters.
They managed to buy a fishing boat, two engines and net with support of well wishers and availing loan.
Things were going on smoothly till June 3. On that ill-fated day Rekha could not go for fishing owing to illness. Karthikeyan ventured into the sea with two workers. While they were about to return with the catch, the sea became rough and the boat capsized.
Karthikeyan and workers were rescued by other fishing boats in the vicinity. But efforts to pull their boat and engine to shore went in vain.
"We've lost properties worth around Rs. 6 lakh. Though we approached the fisheries department, they didn't offer any assistance citing that we didn't avail insurance for the boat and equipment. Though the insurance premium was low, we couldn't manage it owing to financial crunches," said Rekha.
She has submitted a representation to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seeking assistance. The family is now struggling to make both ends meet.
Rekha ventured into the sea with her husband about ten years back, when women venturing into the sea was even considered as a taboo. The unwritten rule of the coastal areas was that women should remain on the shore praying for the safe return of the male members of the family who venture into the sea.
Hence, Rekha's decision had received much praise and she was even felicitated by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.
Published 02 July 2024, 11:00 IST