| Peter, secretary at Jana Seva Sishu Bhavan, Aluva |
One night in December 1995 Peter was riding in the regular boat going to Vypin across Vembanad Lake. Suddenly with a swishing sound, a Maruti car fell into the water in front of them. Without any hesitation, Peter dived into the dark waters and came up with a mother and child. It was then that he knew another victim was still in the ill-fated car. A second attempt saw him rescue a man too from the sinking car.
The next day’s dailies carried the story that the boat crew saved a family whose car fell into the backwaters. The official awards too went to them. “Human life is more valuable than all awards,” contents Peter, now secretary at Jana Seva Sishu Bhavan, Aluva and a former deckman of boat in KSRTC.
Such ironies are uncommon in his rescue career wherein he has been instrumental in saving 12 lives from watery grave on various occasions. An officer who was saved by Peter later threatened him with defamation since the news story had depicted him as having slipped from the boat in an inebriated state.
A 5th standard student, whom he saved, suddenly ran away, perhaps fearing the scolding he was likely to get for his negligent step.
Perhaps the neglect of the world does not matter much as he was the recipient of God’s mercy on one occasion. Peter dived into the water to save his colleague Antony. The hefty colleague, in his anxiety, held him tight. Unable to swim, Peter was sinking along with Antony. When death was certain, the unpredictable hand of destiny suddenly saved them both.
Perhaps to continue his noble mission of saving lives.
Courtesy:
M.T.Sanitha (text), Kanyaka, August 15, 2006
Contributed by: Administrator
