"They were also planning to have a Grand Onam celebration on August 25 along with the Indian team members including Keralities. Unfortunately the recent natural disaster back home at Kerala has hit the villages and families of almost KSI members. Hence the KSI members collectively decided to drop Onam celebrations and planning to contribute the fund for the same to the Kerala Chief Minister`s Flood Relief Fund," Benni Vazhappillil, Presiden of Kerala Samajam, told Antara here on Sunday.
Yet KSI stick on to their plan to receive Indian team members for Asian Games at the Jakarta International airport on Friday evening (Aug 17). A group of 19 athelets including many medals hopefuls along with their coaches and officials landed Jakarta by the Emirates flight at 22.10 hours, but came out of the airport 12 midnight.
Much surprised and embarrased to see a group of about Indian people to receive them with flowers, special banners and welcoming songs and slogans, even at the late hour.
"We decided to carry on with our plan to receive our Indian team members despite we all are in a difficult state where Kerala is very badly affected by the heavy rain and flood, because there are many Kerala athletes also landed at Jakarta for Asian Games though their families and homes also affected by the flood," said Jaleel Kottay Saidumohamed, whose house also flooded now and whose parents and relatives have already moved two times to other relatives` homes to find safer shelter.
"We would like to provide moral support to our Indian team who are hereto perform for the country though they have lost their homes in the flood and their dear ones are also struggling there," Jaleel added.
Other than the reception, a group of Kerala Samajam members gathered together yesterday at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium 5 hours before the opening ceremony with Indian flags, uniform, banner welcoming Indian team to Indonesia and special banner of Plea for Support Kerala.
The whole group was in full mood and kept on shouting slogans supporting Indian team.
According to Benni, the other Indian regional Samajams in Indonesia like Tamil Sangham, Telugu Samajam, Kannada Samajam and other Indian associations are also taking their best of efforts to coordinate and support Kerala and will be contributing the flood relief fund.
The 200-member association, recognized by the Indian Embassy in Jakarta, has been formed with an intention to create harmonious relations among the community.
Editing by Eliswan Azly
Reporter: Mohamad Anthoni
Editor: Andi Abdussalam
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
