Wayanad Landslides: Elderly Tea Stall Owner Donates Earnings, Welfare Pension To CM's Distress Relief Fund

Subaida who runs a small tea shop to support herself and her husband donated Rs 10,000 to the CMDRF.

Subaida had taken out the amount from the bank a few days ago to repay the interest of a loan.

Source : PTI

Amidst significant contributions from businessmen, celebrities, and institutions to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF), an elderly tea stall owner from Pallithottam, Kollam, has selflessly donated her meagre earnings and welfare pension to aid those affected by the devastating landslides in Wayanad that claimed 190 lives.

Subaida, who runs a small tea shop to support herself and her husband, donated Rs 10,000 to the CMDRF. This sum includes earnings from her tea stall and the couple’s welfare pensions. "I had taken out the amount from the bank a few days ago to repay the interest of a loan. But then we saw on TV that contributions were being sought from everyone to help those who lost everything in the Wayanad landslides," Subaida explained.

Her husband encouraged her to prioritise aiding the landslide victims over repaying the loan interest. "My husband immediately asked me to go and give the money to the Collector. He said the interest payments can wait as giving aid was more important. So I went and deposited the money at the collectorate here. I cannot go to Wayanad and help out," she shared in a TV interview.

Subaida emphasised that it was better to use the money to help others now rather than hold onto it without a clear purpose. "If I just accumulated the money and something happens to me, then neither can the interest be paid nor can anyone be helped using the amount. It is better this way," she added.

This generous act is not Subaida's first contribution to the CMDRF. Previously, she sold her four goats to donate money for flood relief efforts. Despite facing criticism for her charitable actions, Subaida remains undeterred. "Ever since people heard about what I did, many came here and said why have you given your money to the crooks? They said I could have given money to people here. Is it more important to give money to people here or help those there in Wayanad?" she questioned.