Flood story: She died so others could live

TURA, SEPT 29: Tragedies sometimes have a flipside to it bringing out human valour and sacrifice that during the ordinary times might just appear to be stuff made for movies only. One such stories is the recent devastating flood wherein in the midst of calamity  a teenage girl lost her life while trying to save the lives of three others.

Sangipa Hajong, just 19 years, ventured from the safety of her house located at higher altitude as flood water of Daru river overflowed and submerging paddy fields and settlements nearby. She decided not to be s mute spectator and witness her relatives and neighbours stranded in the rising waters but rushed out to help them.

Hajong manage to rescue two children and a woman by bringing them to a safer place. However when she made her second trip to get some clothes and ration for the woman, who was ill she lost her life as the water level had risen up sweeping her away.

After the flood water receded three hours later w, her body was found lying head down close to a shrub. She was rushed to Ampati hospital where she was declared dead.

The second daughter of Sunil and Suchitra Hajong, Sangipa was ambitious dreaming big of her future.  Sunil said that his daughter was very hard working and would even do the chores that could normally be done by men.  He said, “ She used to tell us that when she finished her education and gets a job she would purchase better farming tools for us.”.

Suchitra recalled her daughter playing song and dancing in front of her family as she was rehearsing for school function just hours before tragedy struck.

South West Garo hills district administration visited the bereaved family and informed that an ex-gratia of Rs. 1.50 lakh would be given to them as soon as it was sanctioned by the state government. It has also sent a proposal to the authorities for posthumous gallantry award to the girl for her act of bravery.- From Our Correspondent