Didn’t tell parents thinking it would disturb them: Central Railway pointsman who saved 6-year-old child

Shelke’s felicitation by railways and his 10-day-old son’s naming ceremony coincided. He has named him Shaurya

After risking his life to save a six-year-old child at Vangani station on April 17, braveheart pointsman Mayur Shelke returned home and did not mention the incident to his parents and wife. The family learnt about it only after a clip of the daring rescue went viral and Shelke was hailed as a hero.

"My dad is a retired serviceman, earlier working at the ordnance factory here in Ambernath. I did not mention the incident to them fearing their reaction and I am their only child. When it went viral two days later, they applauded me for the deed. The discipline and bravery come to me from my family," he said.

Shelke's family is proud of him and he has been receiving accolades from across the globe, with international media too highlighting the video clip.

The day Shelke was called to the railway head office for felicitation was also the day of naming his 10-day-old son. He has named the child Shaurya.

"For a moment in the video, you can see me trying to turn to the other edge of the track, but the thought of leaving that child to die was unfair and I sprinted ahead and saved him," he said.

‘Not me, help the kid or needy'

Mayur Shelke has appealed to everyone, who wants to meet him with offers of awards and gifts, to donate the money to the visually impaired mother of the child whom he rescued. He too has donated half of the Rs 50,000 that he was rewarded with by the railways. "These are difficult times of COVID pandemic and all those who wish to donate money, hand over cheques to me can offer the money to the mother and the child or any other needy in these times," he wrote on social media.