Kerala Caterer Who Put 100 Rupee Notes In Food Packets For Needy, Rewarded For Kindness

Kumbalangi native Mary Sebastian, a food caterer in Kochi, received Rs 1 lakh for her selfless gesture of slipping 100 rupee notes inside the food packets she prepared for flood-hit people in the state of Kerala last month.

What you should know:

• Mary Sebastian, a food caterer, put 100 rupees notes inside the food packets to help flood-affected people of Chellanam.
• A police officer found the notes in a surplus pool and traced her, posting about her deed on Facebook.
• IBS Software recognised this act as a 'remarkable gesture by a disadvantaged woman' and awarded her Rs 1 lakh.

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The reward offered to Sebastian was part of a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) initiative by an IT firm, IBS Software. Senior officials of the company visited Mary Sebastian at her residence and handed over a cheque of rupees one lakh to her along with a citation.

Who is Mary Sebastian

Mary Sebastian, a food caterer, used to pack food for the flood-hit families of Chellanam. As the people of the coastal village were doubly affected by the floods and COVID-19, Sebastian thought of doing her bit to help them out. She would put money into the food packets so that the families could buy bare essentials for themselves.

Also Read: COVID-19 Lockdown: Social Media Could Do With Some Kindness

However, Sebastian's packets ended up in the surplus pool and hence were not distributed. A police officer involved in the relief operation noticed her act of kindness and traced the benefactor.

Such inspirational stories come as a breath of fresh air: V K Mathews

Executive chairman of the company V K Mathews appreciated Sebastian's selfless deed especially in time if a pandemic. "During the bleak times, such inspirational stories come as a breath of fresh air," he said. The company has called it a “remarkable gesture by a disadvantaged woman without any expectation of recognition or reward" reported the Times of India.

56-year-old Sebastian did not have a regular job during the lockdown. Her husband V Sebastian, who repairs boats did not have a job as well. This reward would ease her financial distress. “I have many small loans and the money would help me to close two of them," Sebastian said.

Image Credit: TNIE/Onmanorama

Shikha Chandra is an intern with SheThePeople.TV.