Kendrapara: The two minor cousins who saved five people from drowning January 2, when a boat capsized near Nipania were felicitated by Minister of Women and Child Development Praffula Kumar Samal Friday at the Mahakalapara block office during a function organised by the administration to felicitate those who had saved the lives of 45 persons and helped in rescue operations.
Purnima Giri, (15), and Sabita Giri, (14) of Nipania, who are studying in Class IX at the Gyanamayee High School, saved five persons – two women and three children – by entering the crocodile-infested chilly river while the high tide was on.
Around 55 people, including six men, 27 women and 22 children of Hasina and Gandkipur, had come to Hukitola for a picnic to celebrate New Year on a boat.
While they were returning, one of the women went to relive herself after the boatman anchored the boat. As the woman was entering the boat, some passengers moved from one side of the boat to the other side, and the overcrowded boat capsized.
The Minister presented the brave girls bouquets, shawls and Rs 10,000 provided by the district administration from the Red Cross funds and gifts.
Samal directed Collector Dasarathi Satapathy to recommend the girls for the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW)’s National Bravery Award-2019.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will felicitate the cousins Saturday at Bhubaneswar, said Samal.
The cousins said their parents had always encouraged them to help the needy as service to mankind is service to God.
The cousins requested the Minister to provide basic facilities in their village liker proper roads, drinking water, electricity, and quality education to children.
Samal directed the Collector to provide basic facilities in Nipania. “I would discuss with the CM and the MLA of Mahakalapara about providing basic facilities to the village,” said Samal.
The Minister also felicitated Budhadev Giri (the father of Sabita), Abhiram Das and Balaram Das for rescuing boat passengers and also Bibhuti Bhushan Sahani (who retrieved eight bodies from the water) with shawls, Rs 10,000 and gifts.
PNN
