Sealed shop opened to let out sparrow

In a heartwarming display of compassion, residents of Ulikkal village in Kerala 's Kannur district came together to rescue a house sparrow trapped for three days inside the glass frontage of a sealed textile shop.

The shop, shut for six months due to a court dispute between its owners, had a bird fluttering helplessly against the glass since Tuesday, unable to find its way back out after entering through a pipe hole.

Locals, unable to break the seal due to legal restrictions, fed the bird grains and water through the pipe. Their efforts and media coverage drew wider attention. Responding to public concern, district collector Arun K Vijayan contacted district judge Nisar Ahmed, who coordinated with HC judges Mohammed Mushtaq and Ravi to obtain clearance.

Ahmed travelled 48km from Thalassery and personally oversaw the rescue Thursday. A villager freed the bird as onlookers applauded. "The law must never stand in the way of life-human or otherwise," Ahmed said, praising the collective resolve that turned a small rescue into a powerful reminder of empathy and unity .