Daijiworld Media Network - Mandi
Mandi, Jul 15: In a heartwarming tale of courage and compassion amid devastation, two pregnant teachers from the College of Horticulture and Forestry, Thunag, were carried to safety on foot by their students and colleagues through 11 kilometres of treacherous terrain, eventually delivering healthy babies.
The daring rescue came in the wake of relentless rains that wreaked havoc across Seraj region in Mandi district, cutting off road access, disrupting basic services, and leaving over 115 homes and 100 shops damaged. Five lives were also lost in Thunag due to the natural disaster.
Dr Neha Thakur, who was nearing her due date, delivered a baby boy on July 8 at Sundernagar Civil Hospital, while Dr Sarita gave birth to a baby girl on July 12 at Sai Hospital in Hamirpur.
With roads completely washed out and no access to emergency services, students and faculty sprang into action on July 2, crafting makeshift palanquins and trekking from Thunag to Bagsyad through mountainous paths, swollen streams, and unstable ground.
Leading this extraordinary mission were students Prikshit Verma, Shivang, Tushar Thakur, Uday Thakur, Dipak Thakur, Aryan, Vineet, Aryan Atri, Ayushman and others, who not only carried the teachers but stood by them with emotional and physical support throughout the dangerous journey. The two teachers also displayed immense resilience, walking through sections of the route where the palanquins couldn’t pass.
Faculty members including Dr Himani, Dr Rajat, Dr Ajinder, Dr Jai Pal, Dr Kishore Sharma, Dr Kishore Thakur, Dr Vijay Rana, Kuldeep, and Neem Chand, played critical roles in ensuring the safe passage. Dean Dr PL Sharma coordinated the entire operation, ensuring safety in the face of nature’s fury.
The successful rescue and safe deliveries have brought a wave of hope to a region otherwise mired in destruction. As messages of admiration pour in on social media, the brave act of these students and faculty members has become a shining example of humanity triumphing in the face of adversity.