Kendrapara: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday felicitated two sisters at Naveen Nibas here, who risked their life to save people from drowning in the tragic boat capsize incident at Mahanadi river confluence in Odisha’s Kendrapara district on Wednesday night.
The Chief Minister presented study material and citations to the bravehearts, Sasmita Giri and Purnima Giri. He also assured them that the state government would bear all their education expenses and gave them cash rewards also.
The tragedy hit the picnickers when they were returning home after spending the day at lighthouse at Hukitola in a country boat. The two sisters reached the spot on hearing screams but by then the boat had capsized.
A portion of the river was crocodile-infested but they cared little and jumped in to save lives in the cold wintry night. The sister-duo managed to bring 10 persons, including two women and some children, ashore. “We could not save others as they were trapped under the overturned boat. It was painful to see them drown,” they said.
