Farmers say it's not about one person but their every day plight.
It's almost a new life for 39-year-old K Martin, a farmer from Idukki district in Kerala, brought back from the brink of suicide by one one five-minute phone call.
Shocked and devastated, after his crops were repeatedly destroyed by elephants and the costs becoming unbearable, he locked himself into a room with kerosene, poison and a rope in an attempt to commit suicide on Thursday. He is the provider for his family of 4 dependents, including two children.
His church leaders rushed to calm him down, but couldn't. Local political leaders couldn't win over him but changed it all.
Finally it was a phone call made by Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, that assured him of all costs being taken care of by the government.
According to Martin, the minister assured that within two weeks the area, where several farmers live, will be completely fenced and all the damages for will be paid. "There was also a team which came inspected the damages," he said.
With tears in his eyes Martin says, "Fences have been bought by the government and much of it still needs to be positioned. There is no electricity and in between all this, elephants come destroy our crops. What do I do? I have a loss of almost Rs 2 lakhs and I have only this land to depend on."
Farmers say it's not about one person but their every day plight.
Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhikrishnan told NDTV, "I had got a call from the spot and I told that person to hand over the phone to the farmer. The farmer's concerns were very genuine and needed to be addressed. We have provided for fencing, but there are gaps. I have ordered the officials to send me an estimate and finish the works as soon as possible to protect the farmers and their crops."