Kenya wins Indian hearts by doing a Sudama with 12-tonne food products aid

Bengaluru: Kenya has done a Sudama on India and the Indians on social media are finding it difficult to thank it enough. Kenya, not known for its booming economy or top-class manufacturing facilities, has helped India in its own unique way. It could not send medical supplies, oxygen cylinders, medicines or vaccines. However, it did send 12 tonnes of edible items including tea, coffee and groundnuts to India.

There were some on social media who mocked the gift and wondered whether India was in such a sorry state that it needed such gifts too. They also took potshots at the Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting that he brought the country to such a sorry state.

While there were a few who initially joked at the 12-tonne aid to India from Kenya, the word soon spread on the social media and now Indians can’t stop appreciating the kind gesture from the African country.

While there are many countries in the world that sent a lot of medical supplies to India once the word went out about Covid-19 taking a high toll in the country, the simplicity of the Kenyan government has won Indian hearts like never before.

Indian Red Cross Society said: “Covid-19 relief; Kenya donates 12 tonnes of food products to India. The East African country has sent 12 tonnes of tea, coffee, and groundnut produced locally to the Indian Red Cross Society. The Hon’ble High Commissioner of the Republic of Kenya Mr.Willy Bett attended the event”

There are many who feel that India too should reciprocate the gesture and send vaccines to the country and its people who are so generous despite their own problems.

The simplicity of the Masai tribe of Kenya can be gauged from the fact that When they came to know about the terrorist attack on World Trade Centre in New York and learnt that more than 3,000 people died in the incident, they felt that they should do something to help US in its time of need. The elders of the tribe together donated 14 cows as gift to America.

The gift was meant to help Americans in their time of need and bereavment. Earlier, this gift was not taken notice of. But after public pressure, the Deputy Chief of Mission of US in Nairobi, William Brancick, had to fly to wester Kenya to receive the gift.

However, he made it clear that it would be difficult to transport the cows to US as it would prove very expensive. The cattle remained in the village and Masai tribe kept them waiting for US to take its gift to its country. The cattle remained in Kenya as property of US. However, the simple act of Masai tribe touched millions of hearts in US. A picture book ’14 Cows For America”. has also been published by author Carmen Agra Deedy to mark the gesture.

Masai people, just like Hindus, hold cows very dear. For them, the cow is the centre of life. It is sacred and more than a property for them. Cows are a part of their rituals.

Many on the social media felt that Keyna has done a Sudama on India and India should reciprocate the gesture.