Idukki: When 13 cows of two young farmers here died after consuming poisoned tapioca hull, the entire state came together to support the family who lost their sole source of livelihood. 

Politicians, film stars and industrialists came to help Mathew Benny (15), the class 10 student and his brother George.

Ministers J. Chinchu Rani and Roshy Augustine visited Mathew’s house. Chinchu Rani promised to provide five insured cows to the family within a week. 

Milma handed over Rs 45,000 to Mathew on Monday and assured fodder free of cost for a month. 

Film actors Jayaram, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mammootty gave the family Rs 5 lakhs, 2 lakh and 1 lakh respectively. MLA P.J. Joseph gifted them a Gir cow, and MP Dean Kuriakose issued a cheque of Rs 20,000. Lulu group chairman MA Yusuff Ali also offered an aid of Rs 5 lakh. 

Receiving the unexpected gifts with gratitude, Mathew said that he would follow the instructions of the Department of Animal Husbandry to make the farm more profitable.