72-yr-old man offers to sell kidney to rebuild flood-hit house, finally gets help from authorities

A 72-year-old man here offered to sell one of his kidneys to re-build his home destroyed in the August floods, saying it was an act of desperation as all efforts to get government assistance had failed.

Joseph, who is a farmer, in a handwritten plea on the parapet of the remaining portion of his dilapidated house, said he was ready sell a kidney and that he "did not get even the promised Rs 10,000 assistance of the state government".

Joseph, who lives with his wife Alice, said though he was aware that selling kidney was illegal, he was desperate to draw attention to his plight as panchayat officials had allegedly demanded bribe and denied him relief.

He claimed his wife was mocked when she had gone to meet the officials to seek help.

As television channels aired visuals of Joseph in front of his run down house, Kerala government on Thursday rushed to offer all assistance to the septuagenarian couple in the hilly district of Idukki.

The devastating floods had damaged the roofs and walls of their home six months ago.

"I felt that committing suicide was a cowardly act and hence did not resort to it. Though I am aware that selling kidney was illegal, I had no other choice.

"This was also to highlight our plight," Joseph told PTI.

Authorities have now swung into action to help the couple.

Hailing from Vellathooval in flood-hit Idukki district, Joseph said, "If I sell a kidney I can clean up my well and begin work on reconstructing the house and give a portion to bribe the officials."