The Chief Minister said he had no words beyond the headline of the Mathrubhumi report, which read, 'Kalyani Amma departs wrapped in the silk of humanity'.
Ambalavayal, Wayanad: Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan has praised two Muslim brothers from Wayanad who performed the last rites of their 85-year-old Hindu neighbour, Kalyani Amma, saying that the Mathrubhumi report on the incident moved him deeply.
“It was with immense joy that I read the news report by Mr. Shaan Joseph in Mathrubhumi about Kalyani Amma from Wayanad. I spoke over the phone with Kappan Razak, who along with his brother Sulaiman, conducted the final rites for Kalyani Amma. I have promised to meet Razak and his brother,” Satheesan wrote on X.
The Chief Minister said he had no words beyond the headline of the Mathrubhumi report, which read, 'Kalyani Amma departs wrapped in the silk of humanity'. He concluded his social media post on the story of compassion from Chithragiri in Wayanad with the same sentiment.
Satheesan called Razak on Wednesday and congratulated the family. He said the report was deeply touching and conveyed Kerala's support and gratitude for the family's selfless care.
Kalyani Amma had lived alone for nearly 50 years. However, Razak and his brother Sulaiman, who were her neighbours, stood by her and looked after her as they would their own mother. The brothers performed her last rites, taking the place of her children, after she died without children or close relatives.
“I never even dreamt that the Chief Minister would call an ordinary person like me. I did what was my duty. She was like my own mother too. The Chief Minister's call made me twice as happy,” Razak said.
The brothers, residents of Club Junction in Chithragiri under Muppainad panchayat, performed the Hindu funeral rituals at a crematorium in Andoor, following the instructions of the priest from Ivarmadom.
Razak and his family had cared for Kalyani Amma for years, taking her to hospital, arranging medicines and attending to her needs. When she became bedridden, Razak's wife, Ruqiya, also looked after her. The family remained by her side until her death and ensured that she received a dignified farewell.
Published: 12 Nov 2026, 09:26 am IST
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