Advertisement

Railway pointsman Mayur Shelke to give half his reward money to the child he saved

Mayur Shelke, a pointsman with Central Railway who was hailed as a hero for risking his own life to save a child at Thane station, continues to earn praises and win everyone’s heart once again.

Railway pointsman Mayur Shelke to give half his reward money to the child he saved
SHARES

Mayur Shelke, a pointsman with Central Railway who was hailed as a hero for risking his own life to save a child at Thane station, continues to earn praises and win everyone’s heart once again.

But this time, for donating a share of his award money to the very child he had saved.

He has also refused to take cash awards from private organisations, saying the money should be given for the treatment of needy coronavirus patients.

The railway ministry earlier this week announced an award of INR 50,000 for Shelke, a Central Railway employee.

He has decided to donate INR 25,000 to ensure a "bright future" for Sahil Shirsat, the boy, whose mother suffers from visual impairment.

"I learnt that the boy is from a poor background and they cannot afford to give him an education. Since I saved the boy, I decided to donate half of the award money for his bright future," Shelke told reporters.

In the heart-stopping incident that was captured on CCTV cameras and went viral on social media, a visually impaired woman carrying a heavy rucksack was walking on the platform when her son accompanying suddenly stumbled and fell into the railway tracks below. Shelke jumped down, ran towards him and scooped him up onto the platform before hauling himself up.

The video shows a speeding Udyan Express streaking past the same spot only a second later.

A corporate house gifted him a motorcycle after his daredevilry came to light. Some people and NGOs also sought to give him cash awards, but he refused to accept money, he said.

"People are going through a harrowing situation due to the coronavirus pandemic. So I requested them to give the money for the treatment of needy patients," Shelke had said earlier.

Initially, he had not informed his parents and wife about the incident, thinking it would unsettle them. Shelke, who joined the railways as a pointsman in 2016 after completing graduation, hails from a nearby village.

RELATED TOPICS
Advertisement
MumbaiLive would like to send you latest news updates