Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday took a dip in the sea with fishermen during his visit to Kollam in Kerala.
Gandhi who represents the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency has been in the state since Sunday and has in a way launched the assembly election campaign, as the polls are likely to be held in April/May. He has covered several parts of the state and has promised to return to lead the campaign leading up to the state polls.
It was "a dream come true" said Rahul Gandhi after spending an hour in the sea on a boat with fishermen off the coast. He said it has been on his bucket list for a long time to spend sometime with the fishers here. The Wayanad MP said he has been asking the leaders here to arrange for him to travel with the fisher folk.
"Right from the time I hopped into the boat, the travel on the high sea till the time I got out it was all an experienced that taught me how difficult life is for a fisherman, who is engaged in a fight with the sea and finally the biggest profit is for someone else.
"I saw for myself when the net was cast and later pulled out, there was just one squid I was expecting a net full of fish, but it was not to be," said Gandhi, as he engaged in a direct interaction with thousands of fishermen who had turned up on the seashore to hear him.
"This one hour in the sea has made me respect you even more because your life is dangerous and risky and even though we all eat fish, not many think of the tough life that you have.
"First time I have realised the difficulties of yours to get the fish on others' plate," added Gandhi and asked the huge gathering of fisher folk to tell what they want.
Replying to a question on what the former Congress President's plans were for the fisher folk, Gandhi said, "while the farmers have a dedicated ministry, the fishermen do not have".
"I assure you that we will set up a dedicated ministry for looking after your needs. I will do my best to see how your life can be made easy.