The weight on her back and the clinging school uniform did not help matters as she fought the strong current. But she surmounted all the hurdles and reached the bank, saving Archana’s life.
The incident took place at Opeswari Ghat in Golaghat district on October 26 last year. The time was 2.30pm.
Kalpana was returning home with four others, including Archana’s mother, in a small country boat from Mohua High School, where she was a student of Class VIII. The school is located on the other side of the Dhansiri. Like Kalpana, her classmate Rekhamoni Sonowal, 12, Archana’s elder sister, also managed to save her own life braving the strong current.
While the three children landed on the river bank they discovered that Paukon Sonowal, the man who was rowing the boat, hadmanaged to save himself but Toramai Sonowal, mother of Archana and Rekhamoni, was swept away by the river.
The three girls shouted for help. Hearing their screams, Toramai’s husband Diganta came running along with other people and launched a search operation. She, however, could not be traced. Two days later her body was recovered from the river bank.
For their act of bravery, the Indian Council for Child Welfare has selected Kalpana and Rekhamoni for the National Bravery Awards for 2011. They will receive the award from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function in New Delhi on the eve of Republic Day. The awardees will also participate in the Republic Day parade.
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