Mumbai: Recognising the exemplary effort of Mayur Shelke, a Railways employee who risked his own life in order to rescue a child from coming under a few days ago, the Ministry of Railways had announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for him.
"Shri Mayur Shelke Pointsman, posted at Vangani Station, Mumbai Division, Central Railway has displayed exceptional Courage in saving a Precious life by rescuing a child who had accidentally slipped and fallen on the tracks from the platform. Sh Shelke in absolute disregard of his own life rescued the child by running in face of the oncoming train and lifted the child to safety by placing him on the platform (sic)," a letter signed by Deepak Peter Gabriel, Principal Executive Director (IR), Railway Board, on Tuesday read.
Also read: Railway employee races before speeding train to save kid in Thane
"The Hon'ble MR is pleased to announce an award of Rs 50,000/- for the act of Bravery, Courage, and Presence of mind displayed by Sh Shelke (sic)," the letter read.
Mayur Shelke, a pointsman employed with the Central Railway (Mumbai division), had raced against an oncoming suburban train at Thane's Vangani Station to save the life of a child who fell on the railway track. The incident took place on April 17.
In the CCTV footage of the incident, a visually challenged woman was seen carrying a heavy rucksack and walking along with a child on the platform. The child suddenly seemed to stumble and fall onto the railway tracks below.
The footage also showed a local train speeding in the same direction when the Pointsman Shelke ran on that track from the opposite direction, pushed the child up and desperately climbed up himself. Barely a second later, the train zoomed on to the platform.
