ODRAF loses a fine rescuer

BHUBANESWAR: Aseem Kanungo was considered among the best of Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF) personnel who have played a key role in rescue and relief operation during the floods. He was also a fine swimmer who got an award during the internal competitions of the force.
All his experience in dealing with the flood came to naught on Friday when the boat, he was navigating, hit a submerged tubewell near Shodoa village under Dhamnagar Police limits. The 29yearold, who was married just two months ago, was thrown off the boat and he was believed to have hurt his head. He was caught in the swirling waters and went missing. The body was retrieved on Sunday a few km downstream at Balipada in the same area. Aseem had received special training in launch driving. He was trained in occupational safety too. He worked relentlessly in 2004 and 2008 high floods besides taking part in the floods in the Mahanadi system a couple of weeks back.