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| Devang
Subil, Thalikkulam, Thrissur |
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Devang
Subil, a second year B.Tech student of Christ University was at home when he
heard that the fishermen had been missing in the sea since 4 a.m. in the morning. He got to the beach by around 10 a.m. and
sought permission from the authorities to use his drone to spot the missing
ones. When this was granted, a few other
fishermen, who had returned from an unsuccessful rescue effort of 6 hours just
then, again ventured to go into the sea with him.
It was Subil’s
first foray into the sea. Though armed
with lemon and water bottle, he had no time to think of sea sickness. The strong wind was testing the ability of
the drone to stay afloat. After a few false
starts, at 11 nautical miles from land, he was able to employ the drone to spot
the first survivor. This fisherman had struggling in sea for many hours for sheer
survival. Yet when he climbed aboard the
rescue boat, his first expression to Subil was, ‘you don’t get scared.’ Something, which Subil says he cannot forget ever
in his life.
Soon they were
able to spot two more survivors nearby.
The fourth person was spotted and rescued a little while later.
Subil had
started on making a drone as part of his first-year project. However, he could not complete it due to lockdown. So, he had one procured. Once he returns to the campus, he plans to complete
the unfinished project.
His parents
didn’t know he was venturing into sea until they watched the news later.
Sruthy Susan Ullas (text), The Times of India, January 9, 2021
