Nagpur: Amid torrential rain that inundated Nagpur, Senior Police Inspector Dnyaneshwar Bhedodkar’s timely intervention turned into a lifesaving act that earned him the prestigious Jeevan Raksha Medal from the Ministry of Home Affairs on Republic Day 2025.
The city experienced relentless rainfall on the night of September 22, 2024, leaving streets waterlogged and plunging neighborhoods into darkness due to power outages. As dawn approached, 42-year-old Sunita Tiwari, residing with her young son in the Dhantoli area near Janaki Talkies, found her house flooded. The water level had risen alarmingly, reaching her neck. Desperate, she dialed the police control room for help.
The distress call was broadcast across Nagpur, reaching Senior Police Inspector Dnyaneshwar Bhedodkar, currently posted at Hudkeshwar Police Station. He had just completed his night patrol and was heading home via Dhantoli. Despite being off duty, Bhedodkar chose to respond immediately, prioritizing humanity over exhaustion.
Upon arriving at the scene, he found the area submerged, with water currents too strong for anyone to enter safely. While other personnel hesitated to wade into the rising waters, Bhedodkar decided to act. Armed with a rope from his police vehicle, he ventured into the flooded house, navigating through the darkness and rising water levels.
With remarkable courage and resourcefulness, the inspector used the rope and his duty belt to secure and rescue the woman and her son, bringing them safely to higher ground. Witnesses described him as a “guardian angel” who risked his life to save others without hesitation.
The heroic act earned widespread praise, and on Republic Day, Bhedodkar was awarded the Jeevan Raksha Medal by the Ministry of Home Affairs for his exemplary courage and dedication. His actions reflect the motto of the police force: Sadrakshanaya Khalanigrahanaya—“To protect the good and punish the wicked.”
Inspector Bhedodkar’s bravery during a life-threatening situation has not only saved lives but also inspired countless others, proving once again that heroes walk among us, clad in khaki.