Youth gets national award for saving father from crocodile

Solanki is the only one from Gujarat to have been selected for the award this year.

It was in June last year when Natwar Solanki (53),a farmer from Juna Vadiya village,a small tribal pocket in Amod taluka of Bharuch district,was attacked by a crocodile when he stepped into the river to fetch water for his field.

The crocodile had picked him on the leg and was dragging him into the water when his two sons Narendra and Pravin (20) rushed in upon hearing his cries.

Natwar had left all hopes of survival,but his sons,despite not knowing how to swim,jumped into the river to save him. Pravin forced the crocodile to open its jaws to set Natwar’s leg free,while Narendra climbed onto the animal’s back and poked it in the eyes. Finally,the reptile gave up his fight against the three and thought it best to retreat.

Natwar and his sons were rushed to the Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital where the proud father narrated the story of his sons’ bravery to all.

Natwar still has the bite marks on his right leg,which he says is now more of a reminder of his sons’ bravery.

The trio left for New Delhi last Saturday to attend the Republic Day Award Ceremony functions.

Incidentally,not many in the village are aware of the incident.

“Their house is at the far extreme of the village which is almost cut off from the main area. There is no pucca road to reach to the other side of the village. So the story had almost gone unnoticed,” said said Ibrahim Kapadiya,talati of the village.

“Incidents of crocodiles pulling in cattle or entering the village are quite common here. But,this was probably the first attack on humans by a reptile in the village.

We will surely hold a small felicitation programme for them,” he added.