ROSHIN GEORGE
In the merciless summer heat in Dubai on June 13, a priest who was called in to perform the last rites of a COVID-deceased parishioner at the Jebel Ali Christian cemetery, chipped in to shovel mud into the 10-feet deep pit. This was after he, along with three others present, had helped carry the corpse from the cemetery gate to the grave. The photo and video went viral on social media, and Fr Ninan Philip’s compassionate act was lauded as ideal human quality in times of calamity.
Fr Ninan was not merely the vicar of St Thomas Orthodox Cathedral in Oud Metha, Dubai. He doubled up as a social worker helping people in need irrespective of their faith and was part of a Whatsapp group called Helping Hands created to offer solace to Indians in distress. Helping Hands’ first successful mission was sending home young Sabareesh Dileep – a job aspirant on visit visa who was hospitalised after a stroke – in an air ambulance to Kochi in late May. Since then, it has helped repatriate 125 Indians with the help of the Indian missions, philanthropic residents and UAE hospitals that provided excellent care and waived huge medical bills of hapless expatriates.
As Fr Ninan prepares to return to India after completing his tenure in Dubai, Helping Hands organised a farewell for the Good Samaritan on November 13. The meeting was graced by well-known social workers Ashraf Thamarassery and E.P. Johnson, President of Indian Association Sharjah, as well as South Indian film personalities Madhupal, Arun Devasya and Bency Adoor.
Mr. Johnson said that the vicar’s three-year tenure in Dubai had the effect of 30 years of social service. Remarking that a good leader should be a good listener, he pointed out how the priest had fulfilled his duties to anyone who came to him for help.
Ashraf, who has been best known for ferrying the dead to their home countries after completing necessary formalities, reminisced how the priest took great interest in providing assistance, including a recent case where a car caught fire and the driver’s body was charred.
Actor-director Madhupal remarked that human lives become more meaningful and enlightened when it is spent to feel the pain of others and bring light in their lives.
Rev Ninan said that like in the time of Kerala’s legendary king Mahabali, COVID-19 has brought equality and unity among people as they stay at home, respect lockdowns and wear masks. He mentioned the services of Consulate Medical Board member Praveen Kumar, a Helping Hands’ founding member who assists with consulate paperwork, overcoming any related red tapism. While there are only a handful of Indian social workers in Dubai and Sharjah, the problems they address are numerous which they have been doing selflessly setting aside their personal responsibilities and professions, he said.
Helping Hands’ members Aji P Varghese, Jose Daniel, Biju John and Indian People’s Forum Dubai President Pradeep Kumar also spoke on the occasion.
