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regular-article-logo Monday, 23 December 2024

Honour for Malda kid bravehearts: Train saviour, child marriage fighter to be feted

Mursalim, 12, had on September 23 stopped the New Jalpaiguri-bound Up Kanchanjunga Express between Bhaluka Road and Harishchandrapur stations after he discovered a cave-in under tracks

Soumya De Sarkar Malda Published 15.11.23, 05:40 AM
Divisional railway manager Katihar, Surendra Kumar (in white shirt), and North Malda MP Khagen Murmu (in kurta) with Mursalim (in the middle) in September

Divisional railway manager Katihar, Surendra Kumar (in white shirt), and North Malda MP Khagen Murmu (in kurta) with Mursalim (in the middle) in September The Telegraph

Two Malda children, one of whom averted a train accident and the other who prevented her own marriage, will receive an award from the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) on November 30 in Calcutta.

Mursalim, 12, had on September 23 stopped the New Jalpaiguri-bound Up Kanchanjunga Express between Bhaluka Road and Harishchandrapur stations after he discovered a cave-in under tracks.

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The Class VI student had waved his red t-shirt to alert the loco driver. Divisional railway manager of Katihar Surendra Kumar had lauded the boy for his presence of mind.

The 14-year-old girl from Malda, a Class VIII student, would also be awarded by the WBCPCR, for preventing her own marriage arranged by her family.

The girl had contacted a Childline helpline in July this year, saying: “I want to study further and don’t want to get married at this age.” Childline, the Child Welfare Committee and the police jointly had then prevented her marriage.

Now, the girl — name withheld on request — wants to be a police officer when she grows up and work to protect the rights of other children.

“Both the children will be awarded on November 30 at Mohar Kunja in Calcutta,” said Shibendu Sekhar Jana, district child protection officer, adding that they would be taken to Calcutta by district social welfare officials.

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