India stands shoulder to shoulder with people of Kerala: PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday expressed his sympathy with those affected by floods in Kerala and hoped that the Southern Indian state "rises again" with "sheer grit and courage of the people."

The Prime Minister while addressing the nation in the 47th edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme asserted that the whole nation stands by Kerala "should to shoulder."

"We just saw how the terrible floods in Kerala have affected human lives. In today's pressing, hard times, the entire Nation is with Kerala. Our sympathies are with those families who lost their loved ones. Loss of lives cannot be compensated, but I assure the grief-stricken families that in this moment of suffering and misery, a hundred and twenty five crore Indians stand by them shoulder to shoulder," Prime Minister Modi said while addressing the nation in the 47th edition of his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio programme.

"I earnestly pray for those injured in this natural disaster to get well soon. I firmly believe that the sheer grit and courage of the people of the state will see Kerala rise again. Disasters unfortunately leave behind a trail of destruction. But, one gets to witness facets of humanity, humaneness during disasters. From Kutch to Kamrup, from Kashmir to Kanyakumari, everyone is endeavoring to contribute in some way or the other so that wherever a disaster strikes, be it Kerala or any other part of India, human life returns to normalcy," he added.

The Prime Minister further hailed the Indian armed forces for leaving "no stone unturned in rescuing lives of those trapped in the floods".

"The Air Force, Navy, Army, BSF, CISF, RAF, every agency has played an exemplary role in the rescue and relief operations. Yesterday was the festival of Onam. We pray for Onam to provide strength to the country, especially Kerala so that it returns to normalcy on a newer journey of development," he said.

The Centre has provided Rs 600 crore as advance assistance to Kerala. Out of a total population of about 3.48 crore, more than 54 lakh or one-sixth of the population of Kerala, was directly affected by the floods. As many as 357 people have lost their lives so far, with the state facing a loss of Rs 19,512 crore and over 10, 00,000 people are packed into relief camps.

The states of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and several others have extended help to Kerala.