Kerala: A red parasol of communal harmony

Thrissur, Apr 24: Setting an example of communal harmony, an educational institution, run by the Catholic Missionary here is adorning its 'altar'' with a ''red-parasol,'' presented by a temple on all Fridays and during special occasions.

Father Dr Francis Alappatt, Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Jubilee Mission Medical College and Research Institute told UNI that the 'umbrella,' presented by Paramekkavu Devaswom in the city, was not just a 'special gift'' but a living example of communal harmony.

There was a touching story behind the parasol which was presented to the Missionary by the Paramekkavu Devasom as gratitude to the service rendered by the Jubilee Mission Hospital for saving the lives of seven pyrotechnicians. The pyrotechnicians had suffered severe burn injuries in an explosion, a few days ahead of the Thrissur Pooram, at a cracker manufacturing unit at Pudukkad on May five last, father Francis said.

The tragedy occurred when the pyrotechnicians were engaged in making crackers for the grand fireworks display marking the conclusion of the world famous Thrissur pooram last year. Seven people had lost their lives in the tragedy and an equal number were injured, while two of them had suffered about 55 to 75 per cent burns.

The injured were admitted to hospital and realising the seriousness of their injuries, hospital authorities constituted a special medical core-team with physicians, plastic surgeons and special trained medical staff in attending burn cases to treat the injured people.

''The tragic incident was not with the temple alone, but to the whole community in the city as ''Pooram'' is the people of Thrissur.

So we considered it was our duty to save the patients and provided the treatment free of cost,'' Father Francis said.

UNI