An Uttarakhand policeman on Wednesday rushed nearly two km uphill carrying a pilgrim, who had a mild heart attack, on his back and ensured the man received timely medical attention.
Sub-Inspector Lokendra Bahuguna’s act not only proved to be a blessing for 55-year-old Ranjhi Rajag but also earned accolades for the man in khaki for his commitment to duty.
The family of Mr. Rajag was perplexed when the pilgrim from Madhya Pradesh collapsed near the Bhairo Mandir here soon after his arrival at the Himalayan Yamunotri shrine on Wednesday morning, Barkot police station in-charge Vinod Thapliyal said.
His family tried to make Mr. Rajag sit on horseback to take him to the nearest hospital but he could not sit steady. This is when Mr. Bahuguna offered to carry the pilgrim, who was in need of immediate medical care, on his back to the Yamunotri seasonal hospital. “With Mr. Rajag on his back, the Sub-Inspector walked two km uphill to the hospital where the pilgrim was treated for four hours before being discharged,” Mr. Thapliyal said.
Doctors at the hospital said Mr. Rajag had suffered a mild heart attack.
Soon after being discharged, Mr. Rajag thanked the police officer and also paid obeisance at the shrine with his family.
Mr. Bahuguna’s act drew comparisons with that of another Sub-Inspector, Gagandeep Singh, who had saved a youth from a furious mob near Ramnagar in Nainital district.