Hong Kong recognises bravery of city-based merchant navy captain who rescued 21 lives, but India is yet to give him recognition
Hong Kong recognises bravery of city-based merchant navy captain who rescued 21 lives, but India is yet to give him recognition
The city's own Ashutosh Karkhanis, a captain of the Indian merchant navy, rescued 21 people aboard a cargo ship, two months ago. While Hong Kong authorities have announced an award in recognition of his bravery, Indian authorities are yet to wake up.
Brave act
On August 24, MT Pacific Condor, an oil tanker under Karkhanis command, was on its voyage from India to Bashayer in Sudan. The ship received a distress alert from Syrian cargo ship MV Sea Star that was in the Red Sea. The ship had developed a technical snag and was sinking.
The crew was worried about a pirate attack, as the Red Sea is frequented by pirates. According to Karkha-nis's wife, Swapna, "The first alert call from Sea Star came in just after midnight. At day break, the situation on the Sea Star was out of control."
The routine voyage turned into a rescue operation that continued for 18 hours, when finally Karkhanis's team managed to rescue the crew. Of the 21 aboard, six were Indians.
Swapna recalled that she, her daughter (5) Esha and Karkhanis's mother Sulekha stayed awake the entire night, till they were assured that Karkhanis was safe.
"The Hong Kong Shipown-ers Association has already communicated to us that they are honouring my husband," said Swapna. "He put his life at risk. Shouldn't he be given his due from the Indian authorities?"
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