Pics: Meryick D'Silva
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)
Mangaluru , Aug 6: Recognizing the brave act of farmer Frank Fernandes who averted a possible train mishap at Bondel-Pachanady on August 1, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel honoured him on Friday August 7.
Frank had stopped the Mangaluru-Madgaon Intercity Express on August 1 after he noticed a fragmentation on the railway track at Bondel-Pachanady. He used a bunch of red Pagoda flowers as to signal the possible danger, thus averting a train derailment and possibly saving lives. For his brave deed, he was rewarded and lauded by Mangaluru North MLA Mohiuddin Bava recently. The story was first reported by daijiworld.
On Friday, MP Nalin Kumar Kateel visited Frank with his supporters and honoured him with a garland, shawl, 'peta' and Rs 2,500 on behalf of Palakkad division of Southern Railway. He was also given a certificate of merit.
Lauding Frank for his effort, MP Kateel said, "Frank Fernandes on last Saturday made a great attempt by stopping the Mangaluru-Madgaon Intercity Express and averted a possible mishap in the district. After witnessing the fragmentation on the track, he tried to caution the officials but when it failed, with the help of red flowers he stopped the train.
"I learnt about this heroic act of Frank through media and immediately informed the railway minister about it in a letter and demanded that he be honoured on behalf of the railway department for his heroism. This is a good message to the society. Railway minister has also asked the Chennai department to honour Frank. In the coming days, the railway ministry itself will honour him," he said.
"On behalf of the people of Dakshina Kannada, I congratulate him. Media has identified his heroic deed which is commendable. His good deed also makes the entire district proud. This is a great achievement and now he has become a hero of the common man," he added.