Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (SP)

Bhatkal, Dec 31: Two students of Nellikeri high school, Kumta in Uttara Kannada district succeeded in averting a tragedy in the making on Saturday December 29 evening. They brought to the attention of the railway staff about the fact that the railway track had developed crack at a spot, prompting them to take immediate action. These students have drawn all-round appreciation for their initiative.

Manjunath Narayanaraddi Arasanala and Shashikumar from Haveri district, who happen to be the students of Nellikeri high school in Kumta were the ones who turned heroes with their prompt action. Both of them stay in a hostel near Manaki Maidan at Kumta.

Both the boys were searching for some local berries that are normally available near the railway tracks near their hostel when they saw that a railway track had developed cracks. They immediately ran to Kumta railway station about 500 metres away and told the railway staff about what they had seen. The staff rushed the spot and found that indeed what the boys said was true.

The alert gang-men saw to it that Matsyagandha Express train between Mangaluru and Mumbai, Mangaluru - Goa DEMU train and Madgaon - Mangaluru intercity express trains moved at a very slow pace at this stretch by holding out signals. They then repaired the tracks. The boys were profusely appreciated by everyone concerned for stopping a catastrophe in the making. Some felt that the boys deserve gallantry award for running half a km and alerting railway staff about the impending disaster.