Himachal Pradesh’s unsung heroes: Mahunag Diving Association transforms river diving pastime into lifesaving profession; 2,000 rescue ops so far
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The Newz Radar
MANDI: About a dozen youths from Jugahan and Talwadi villages in Sundernagar sub-division of Mandi district in Himachal Pradesh have transformed their pastime of diving into rivers, canals and lakes into a well-established profession to save people falling into water bodies.
Venturing beyond mere recreation, these enthusiasts extended their limits, risking their lives to rescue distressed people or animals and persons without the aid of swimming equipment. They earlier used to be summoned by locals, police and the administration for various rescue operations and they would generously offer their services almost free of cost.
In 2010, an opportunity arose for them to receive training in rescue operations from the then SDM (Sub-Divisional Magistrate) Pankaj Rai in Sundernagar. Learning the intricacies of rescue operations, they formed the Mahunag Diving Association.
Led by Shiv Ram, this association, comprising skilled members in diving and rescue operations, actively contributes to their community’s safety.
Shiv Ram’s team, through the Mahunag Diving Association, engages in search and rescue operations across various water bodies, addressing incidents from accidents in Chandra Tal lake to the Beas river. Beyond their local community, they are sought after in neighboring areas and across the entire state, offering not only diving expertise but also utilising funds for equipment procurement and maintenance.
Despite facing challenges such as navigating icy cold waters, murky ponds or dark depths, the association claims to have successfully recovered over 2,000 bodies and numerous animal carcasses from water bodies across the state. Charging a fee of Rs 30,000 per day for their services, the funds are reinvested into equipment and associated expenses.
These divers have in-depth knowledge of rivers across the state and were summoned by the district administration recently when teams of SDRF and NDRF failed to find out the bodies of two persons, who slipped into the Beas following a road rage incident, after two days of search operations. They succeeded in finding out the body of a Jalandhar tourist.
While rescue diving is acknowledged as one of the most risky professions, Shiv Ram laments the lack of recognition and credit for their substantial societal contributions. Despite their role in various incidents, the rescue divers received no awards and their efforts often went unnoticed, he said.
With over two decades of experience in rescuing people, Shiv Ram emphasised that their contentment lied in helping families find closure for their drowned loved ones. Expressing a desire for acknowledgment rather than additional rewards, he highlighted the need for credit to boost the morale of rescue divers who often operated without due recognition. He shared an incident where, despite efficiently completing a task for the administration and the police, they were not compensated, underscoring the challenges faced by these unsung heroes.
