Governor, top officers praise brave-heart for tremendous sacrifice for humanity Tourist Guide
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar: A tourist guide showed the true spirit of Kashmiriyat as he saved five tourists, two of them foreigners, from drowning in fast-flowing Lidder River near Mawoora area of Pahalgam in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
The Braveheart lost the battle for life in rescuing others after a boat capsized. His body was retrieved from the river near Bhawani Bridge today morning, more than 12-hours after he drowned.
Body of the tourist guide namely Rouf Ahmad Dar, a resident of Yeened, was retrieved from the river near Bhawani Bridge this morning by the sleuths of SDRF, Police and LOCAL volunteers, reports reaching GNS said.
“He showed real spirit of humanity and Kashmiriyat by saving five tourists including two foreign tourists at the cost of his own life,” locals told GNS.
“The Braveheart deserves all praises for sacrificing himself for others,” they said and urged the government to recognize the bravery of Dar and provide due compensation to his family.
Confirming the retrieving of Dar’s body, Deputy Commissioner Anantnag Khalid Jahangir also praised the Braveheart.
“Body of the brave tourist guide Rouf Ahmad Dar, who while successfully saving 5 tourists including 2 foreigners, lost his own life in the true spirit of trademark Kashmiri hospitality, was retrieved near Bhawani Bridge from Lidder,” he said.
The body has been handed over to the family for last rites after completion of medico-legal formalities, he said.
He also released Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia relief in favour of the Next of the Kin of late Rouf Ahmad Dar.
Governor Satya Pal Malik has saluted the bravery of the Tourist Guide and described it as a real life hero who sacrificed his life for saving lives of others.
Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and strength to the bereaved family in its hour of grief.
Honouring the exemplary display of selfless action, Governor announced financial assistance of Rs. 5 lakh for the family of Rouf.
Advisor to the Governor, Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, hailed the valour and self-sacrifice of Rouf. In a statement, Ganai, who is also incharge of the Tourism Department, said the sacrifice of Rouf Ahmad Dar was yet another example of how much the people of Kashmir care for their tourists. “Without caring for his own life, Rouf braved strong currents of river Lidder to save five tourists from drowning. It was the ultimate sacrifice one can offer,” he added.
The Advisor also issued directions to CEO Pahalgam Tourism Development Authority to remain careful and track weather and take all other precautionary measures for ensuring safety and security of tourists especially during trekking, mountaineering and rafting expeditions.
Ganai also said that the deceased will be suitably awarded posthumously and monetary help will be provided to the family.
The Advisor conveyed his heart-felt sympathies to the bereaved family and prayed for Jannah tul Firdous to the departed soul.
Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam when contacted by GNS also praised Dar for his bravery and said that he has directed the concerned officers to provide all possible assistance and compensation to the family of the Braveheart.
Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Basser Ahmad Khan also heaped praises on Dar, saying that his act of bravery will be remembered for times to come. (GNS)
