By Quaid Najmi

Mumbai, Apr 26 (IANS): Last fortnight, a Central Railway Pointsman Mayur Shelke sprinted into national headlines after he out-raced an oncoming train, Udayan Express and saved the life of a 6-year old kid from certain death on the railway tracks at Vangani station in Thane district.

Earning laurels, Shelke was felicitated by the CR, Railway Minister Piyush Goyal gave a reward of Rs 50,000, industrialist Anand Mahindra praised him while Jawa Motorcycles's Director Anupam Thareja gifted him a brand new Jawa 42 Nebula Blue bike worth around Rs 1.65-lakh.

On April 17 evening, Shelke had risked his life to save little Sahil who accidentally fell from the platform onto the railway tracks, right on the path of the speeding train.

Pointsman Shelke who was barely around 25 metres away, ran towards Sahil who got up and tried to clamper up the high platform, faltered a bit and then continued, pushed the boy up and then hoisted himself up.

The entire life-saving drama lasting barely half-a-dozen second was captured on a CR CCTV and its footage made Shelke a new 'Indian SuperMan'.

Quietly away from the limelight, Sahil's mother Sangita Shirsath, 32, with tears of gratitude welling up her sightless eyes, blessed Shelke for giving new life to her little son and her pillar of support.

Her plight moved a Mumbai diamantaire Dharmesh Jhaveri and he decided to do something so Shirsath, hailing from Nanded, could regain her eyesight.

"I was not born blind… At the age of 2, owing to some eye disease, I lost my vision permanently… My father had shown me to an opthalmist in Nanded, but he said nothing could be done," Shirsath told IANS.

Abandoned by her blind, Akola-based husband Arjun five year ago, Shirsath – who is HSC pass from institutions for the blind in Nanded and Nashik – supports self and Sahil by hawking odd-wares in suburban or passenger trains that halt at Vangani station.

"I earned barely around Rs.10,000 per month, but during the lockdown, most days I can hardly manage a proper meal for both of us. My only brother is a farmer in Nanded and I can't expect help from my aged mother after my father expired three years ago," said Shirsath, gradually opening up.

Nevertheless, apart from paying a total rent of Rs 3,000 per month for her tiny room, she has admitted Sahil in Bal Vikas Mandir School in Badlapur a semi-private school which charged whopping amount in fees.

"He is a bright child and was in Sr.KG, but after lockdown his education is disrupted… Now, he's my guardian angel in my blindness, my window to the world…" Shirsath said with pride.

Understanding his mother's special needs, Sahil guides her to the bath or toilet, helps her with kitchen odd jobs, remembers the route to the railway station and train timings, assists her in boarding or deboarding the trains at the right stations, takes her to eateries for food and make payments, and later ferries her back home safely.

"Shirsath deserves help… a top eye-surgeon Dr. Hemendra Shah in Mumbai will examine her soon. Even Bhiwandi-based Samast Jain Mahasangh Convenor Ashok Jain has promised to try for the best possible treatment for her," Jhaveri told IANS.

On her part, Shirsath keeps her fingers crossed on her fate, but is extremely concerned about her son's secure future.

"Shelke Saheb was very kind to give me half his prize money (Rs.25,000) for Sahil's education. I deposited it in my SBI Account in Badlapur Branch… A couple of journalists gave me Rs 4,000 and clothes for us… But we have a long way to go…" Shirsath trailed off.

When coaxed, she wondered whether her HSC-level education could get her suitably employed in the Indian Railways under some special/discretionery category, or by some privat company and if any NGO might help get a permanent roof on her head.

"Just as Shelke Saheb was a Saviour Angel to Sahil, I hope that some other good souls can help me out with a job and a home so my son can be cared for till he can stand on his feet," Shirsath said.

Jhaveri nodded and assured that his group would make every effort to ensure that Shirsath and Sahil can get a proper foothold in life in terms of some gainful work, education and a house also.