What makes an ordinary person a real-life hero?
When a young man saw strangers in danger, he stepped forward to help without thought for his own safety. His courageous act came at a devastating personal cost.
This true story of a Good Samaritan reminds us of the extraordinary courage and humanity that can be found in ordinary people, and how one act of kindness can inspire another.
Life Lessons & Key Themes From This Story
- Kindness doesn’t require a connection. A stranger can choose to care.
- Real-life heroes are ordinary people who step forward when someone needs help.
- Help can come from unexpected places, even from someone we have never met.
- Pride can live alongside pain. Even in difficult circumstances, we can honour the courage someone has shown.
- One act of kindness can inspire another, creating a ripple far beyond the first act.
📍 From India: This story is part of our worldwide collection of inspiring true stories.
“Oh my God!”
My painful shriek echoed in the isolated burns ward of the Ahmedabad hospital.
The annual International Kite Festival is held in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. Each year, the event is marked by the display of an exquisite array of colourful kites from various countries.
The festival receives extensive front-page coverage in the local newspapers. However, one year, one news item cast a shadow over the colourful celebrations.
Titled “Good Samaritan electrocuted saving children”, the story, accompanied by a photograph of a young man in a hospital bed, immediately caught my attention.
Risking His Life for Strangers
The report explained that two young men were trying to rescue a bird caught in kite strings in a tree when they came into contact with a live wire and were electrocuted.
Hearing their cries for help, the young Good Samaritan, who was passing by, tried to rescue them without thought for his own safety. In the process, he suffered severe burns to both legs and was hospitalised with critical injuries.
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The exemplary humanitarian act of this young man risking his life for people he did not know inspired me so much.
Inspired to Take Action
I immediately decided to visit the hospital and offer him any help he needed. However, the report neither gave the name of the young man nor the hospital where he had been admitted.
With great difficulty, I contacted the newspaper office and got in touch with the reporter and obtained details of the hospital.
The next day, I arrived at the hospital and entered the burns ward. I was in for a rude shock.
The next day, I arrived at the hospital and entered the burns ward. I was in for a rude shock.
In place of his right leg there was a stump. The doctors told me they had been forced to perform emergency surgery and amputate his right leg to save his life, as gangrene was spreading rapidly.
Meeting a Real-Life Hero
The young hero hailed from a small village in North Gujarat and hailed from a poor family. He came to Ahmedabad to watch the annual kite festival when tragedy struck him.
Only his parents were at his bedside, with tears in their eyes, unable to come to terms with the unexpected tragedy. He appeared to be the only earning member of the family.
I was dazed with shock looking at the plight of the family.
I immediately donated whatever little money I was carrying for their immediate need and proceeded with arrangements for buying an artificial limb and a hand-driven tricycle to help with his mobility.
As he came from a remote village, I knew it would be difficult for him and his family to return to the hospital, so I requested the doctors to arrange for both items before his discharge. The doctors were very considerate and made sure they were ready before he left the hospital.
On the day of his discharge, I personally visited the hospital and found the young man cheerful and ready to take on the world with his tricycle and an artificial limb.
The “never say die” spirit was very much visible on his face. There was a sense of satisfaction on his parents' faces as they stood beside their son, proud of his courageous attempt to save two young men.
I saluted him for his undaunted spirit and his willingness to help others.
I left the hospital with a deep sense of pride and gratitude for having met, and been able to help, a real-life hero among us.
Strangers Helping Strangers
I hope that by sharing his story, this young man's courage and willingness to help a stranger will inspire others to do the same. One stranger helping another. May this act of kindness continue to ripple out across the world.
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Meet the Storyteller: V. Subramanian
V. Subramanian is a retired banker who served as Deputy General Manager at Syndicate Bank.
Alongside his professional career, he has nurtured a deep passion for writing and has contributed regularly to publications including ThePrint, Business Line, Deccan Herald, and YourStoryClub.
He writes on a range of subjects, from philosophical reflections to current affairs, and is the author of three books: Time Flies But Memories Stay, Echoes of Life, and 10 Steps to Effective Branch Management in Banks.
You can connect with him on Twitter @VSubram16682940 or share your thoughts in the comments below.
What an incredibly touching story. This young man showed extraordinary courage by risking his own life to help complete strangers, and it’s equally beautiful how his kindness inspired someone else to step forward and help him.
We need so much more of this in the world. Kindness for kindness’ sake and the empathy to put that into action are drastically in short supply these days.