The Malayalam movie ‘Take Off’ narrated the story of rescuing a group of Keralite nurses who were captivated by terrorists in Iraq. Producer of the movie Anto Joseph has shared a heart-warming experience he heard while preparing the thanks card of the movie.
Anto Joseph was about to add the name of the then chief minister Oommen Chandy in the thanks card of the movie, when he replied that it is the name of Sushma Swaraj that should be added first. He also said that if it were not for Sushma they would not have been able to rescue the nurses.
Anto Joseph narrates the experience…
The post production works of my movie ‘Take Off’ was progressing. I wanted to include in the thanks card of the movie the name of the then chief minister Oommen Chandy who rescued the Malayali nurses from the terrorists in Iraq.
I called him to take permission and the reply was like this; “There is no issue with adding my name. but you should put the name of our external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj first. My name should be placed below that.”
I was really wonderstruck. Why does he want to place the name of a union minister who belongs to a different party first? When I asked it, Oommen Chandy sir explained the reason for that.
It was the hard work of Sushma Swaraj that saved the lives of the nurses. She stood by Oommen Chandy sir from the moment he went to Delhi for the purpose. We would not have been able to save the nurses if it was not for her.
It was planned to take the nurses by special flight from Iraq to Delhi and then to Kochi after ensuring their release. But on the previous day of their journey, it was learnt that they have not received the permission to land the flight in Nedumbassery.
Oommen Chandy sir was tensed on knowing the news, because the families of the nurses were informed that they would reach home next day. All of them had already arrived at Kochi to receive their dear ones.
Seeing no other way to resolve the issue, he contacted Sushma Swaraj at 1 midnight. But she answered the call even at that hour and assured that the nurses will land in Kochi next day. And it happened. With the timely intervention of Sushma Swaraj, our nurses landed in Kochi at the right time.
Our dearest leader who worked for the welfare our people even at midnight is on her last journey. Heartfelt condolences from Take Off crew and me…
