Enthralling Story of Udaipur's Rescue Divers

Few days before, a teenager died by drowning in Madar Lake near Udaipur, last week one tourist was killed when the boat he was travelling in was turned upside down in Lake Fatehsagar. Since years, hundreds and thousands of cases like drowning, suicides and accidents have taken place in these beautiful Lakes of Udaipur which sometimes turn dreadful killers from serene beauties.

Whenever such case of drowning  takes place in lakes of Udaipur, one team of rescue divers (gotakhor) is called every time to save lives or either find out the lost person(s),  probably dead by drowning.

Chotu Bhai, Noor Mohammad and Gani Mohammad are struggling best to keep alive this inherited and unbeatable brave art of rescuing from generations, although they are obscured, untrained, unpaid and uninsured divers diving without any safety gadgets or oxygen cylinders in city lakes since last 12-13 years.  But more than 1000 dead bodies have been recovered and many hundreds of lives have been saved because of these 3 dare devils.

Their forefathers were official rescue divers in Maharana Uday Singh’s era. Undoubtedly, diving is in their blood or perhaps they learned it before they’d walked for first time. Remarkably the fearless trio Chotu, Noor and Gani had never charged a single penny from anyone, but they always gratified if someone acknowledged their work.

Ehsaan in his mid 20s, younger brother of Chotu bhai also joined the team 8 years ago.

Very few Udaipurties have ever got the chance to know these real heroes, so here we are introducing the team of Udaipur’s rescue Divers.

Chotu Bhai

Age: 41 years

Diving since: Last 15 years

Achievement: Dozens of certificates of appreciation, even awarded on Independence Day 15 August and 26^th January.

Memorable Incident: When there was breakage in Jhadol dam, our team saved life of many by settling cement sacks at the dams

Full Time Profession: Working in Municipal Corporation (not as diver). I do not earn anything from diving.

“Even though we are rescuing from last 15 years, we are still not recognized as an official rescue divers instead, we are always asked to work during any mishap. Several times we are appointed as guards to protect celebrities travelling in boats and finally we are poorly paid.”

……….

Noor Mohammad

Age: 47 years

Diving Since: Last 25 years

Achievements: Certificates of appreciation and acknowledgment by Police department and local organizations.

Memorable incident: In 2006 when half of the city was under flood, we saved lives of many by bringing them out of their houses and work places.

Full Time Profession:  Working as a sweeper.

“Legally, each boat in the city should have at least one diver for safety. But none of the boating contractor appoints any diver. The authority is reluctant and less care for the lives of tourist.”

……….

Gani Mohammad

Age: 42 years

Diving Since: last 5 years

Achievements: No Recognition

Memorable incident: During the flood of 2006, along with many drowning people I also saved one girl’s life who was stucked in Aloo factory of the city. She still calls me as her angel father.

Full Time Profession: I work at parking stand, outside Saheliyo Ki Badi.

“There should be mass awareness among people that divers are as important as fire fighters. But, neither government nor people care.  People should raise voice for their rights and put some effort for their safety.”

……….

Escalating number of drowning cases should be the alarm for authorities and lovers of lakes. Why we always wait for any catastrophe, to call these divers? Why there is not enough security like in other nations that employs professional divers? Do we have right in taking pride in our tourism industry, when we can’t protect our tourists? These questions are anxiety of Divers, who are ready to serve at any hour if given proper aid and authority by city officials.

Till it happens, it’s a request from UT team to Udaipurites to stay safe and in emergency call superheroes of our Udaipur @ 9829214259 (Noor Mohammad)