Cyclone Ockhi: Go to sea or not? Son of dead Kerala fisherman faces uncertain future

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a thatched house on Poonthura beach, 21-year-old Bobby, his 42-year-old mother Jacintha and his 17-year-old sister Nimmy are hopeless about the future. Their sole breadwinner Christy, 51, a fisherman, died in the Ockhi cyclone in high seas when he ventured out into the sea last Wednesday. 

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When the body of Christy was taken to Poonthura on Saturday, the narrow door in front of their hut could not accommodate his body. Hence it had to be kept in front of a relative’s residence nearby for people to pay homage.

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According to Bobby, their family has to start from scratch to make a living. After discontinuing his BA Economics undergraduate studies at a private college, he has no option left to move forward as his father never wanted his son to pursue in his footsteps. “I have no idea how to look after my family. My mother is a house wife and my younger sister is studying in Class 12. It was my father’s wish I should not become a fisherman like him. In fact, he wanted me to study. But I couldn’t complete my studies and I regret that,” Bobby says while his eyes brims with tears.  “Though I know to swim in the sea, my father didn’t take me to sea for fishing. If there are no options left, I am ready to go to sea,” he says.

But Jacintha thinks otherwise. “Bobby should not be a fisherman like his father. “No, we can’t put another life at risk by sending him to sea for our bread and butter. Let him continue his studies. The sea goddess will take care of us,” she said.