Lucknow: In a remarkable display of courage and presence of mind, two Class 10 students risked their lives to rescue a woman who had jumped into a fast-flowing canal following a family tiff in UP’s Maharajganj district.The incident occurred at the Saat-Paanch bridge over the Deoria Branch Canal of the Narayani river in Nichlaul area on Friday. According to eyewitnesses, the woman, said to be in 30s, was standing on the bridge with her family members when an argument broke out. As the dispute escalated, she allegedly threw her mobile phone onto the road and suddenly ran towards the canal.Before her family could react, the woman jumped into the canal and was quickly swept away by the strong current. Seeing her struggle in the water, panic gripped those present at the spot. Although several passers-by and local residents gathered near the bridge, none initially ventured into the canal because of the risk posed by the swift flow.At that moment, Krishna Gupta and Saddam Hussain, both 16-year-old students of Class 10 at Masih Sevashram Inter College, jumped into the canal and swam towards the woman.Battling the strong current, the duo managed to reach the woman and keep her afloat. After a strenuous struggle, they guided her towards the bank, where bystanders joined the rescue effort and helped pull her safely out of the water.A video of the rescue, recorded by a bystander, later went viral and drew widespread praise for the students’ bravery and quick thinking.The courageous act also earned appreciation from the police and the school administration. Maharajganj SP Shakti Mohan Awasthi honoured the boys with certificates of appreciation for their exceptional bravery, presence of mind and humanitarian spirit. School principal Father Praveen Pulinthanathan announced that the students would be felicitated in the school.Circle officer Ravindra Kumar Singh said police reached the spot after receiving information about the incident. Authorities are now seeking to ascertain the circumstances that led the woman to take the extreme step..
