Cattle were the only source of livelihood for this four-member family.
Mammootty will be providing financial aid of Rs 1 lakh to Mathew, Prithviraj reportedly offered Rs 2 lakh.
The first day of the New Year came with a huge shock for 15-year-old Mathew Benny and his family. They lost their 13 cows due to hydrogen cyanide poisoning after they consumed tapioca root skin (hull) on Sunday. Notably, these cattle were the only source of livelihood for the four-member family. Given the plight of Mathew, the government and other individuals, including film actors, came out to extend their helping hand to Mathew. As per reports, Mammootty and Prithviraj Sukumaran have also promised to help Mathew’s family. While Mammootty will be providing financial aid of Rs 1 lakh to Mathew, Prithviraj reportedly offered Rs 2 lakh. Actor Jayaram also showed concern for Mathew and also visited his house. The actor promised Rs 5 lakh to the dairy farmer family.
Jayaram, during his media interaction, said, “I had myself brought those cows from Tamil Nadu and my wife and children had named and nurtured each of them like family members. Hence, I can easily relate to the situation the boy is facing,” he said. He also assured Mathew to accompany him on his visit to Krishnagiri in Tamil Nadu to assist him in purchasing high-breed cows at a low cost.
Nisanth M Prabha, public relation officer with the animal husbandry department, Idukki, spoke to The New Indian Express and said, “Though all parts of the tapioca plant contain hydrogen cyanide, the tapioca hull contains it in large concentration.”
It is pertinent to note that for Mathew, cattle farming was the only livelihood option after his father’s death in 2020. In addition to that, this also provided him with relief during the lockdown-induced boredom. In 2021, Mathew had 14 cows in his farm and the number increased to 22 in 2023. His mother, while speaking to the media, said that Mathew is a superhuman and has always tried to take care of people around him. She further added that the cattle are part of his life, adding that he manages the farm with the support of his 18-year-old elder brother George.
