The Mahanadi River stretched wide and restless that morning, its waters swirling with a strength that only nature can command. For hours, locals had watched in concern as a massive elephant struggled in the current near Mundali Bridge. Word spread quickly, and soon both rescuers and journalists gathered — not just to save the animal, but to bear witness to an extraordinary moment.

Among them was Arindam Das, a respected journalist known for his fearless reporting, and his colleague, cameraman Prabhat Sinha. Alongside them stood members of the Odisha Disaster Rapid Action Force (ODRAF), trained men who had faced floods, storms, and countless emergencies before. On that Friday morning, they all shared a single purpose: to bring the elephant safely to shore.

The Mission

The team launched a boat into the churning waters, eyes fixed on the stranded jumbo. For Das and Sinha, it was a story that embodied both the fragility of wildlife and the bravery of those who protect it. For ODRAF, it was another day of service, another chance to save a life.

The elephant fought against the river, its immense strength tested by the relentless current. The rescuers pressed forward, hoping to guide the animal to safety. For a while, everything seemed to be under control.

The Turning Point

Then, in an instant, everything changed.

As the team maneuvered close to the animal, a surge of water caught their boat. It tilted sharply, then capsized, tossing its passengers into the deep, fast-moving river. Cries for help pierced the roar of the current as men fought to stay afloat. The elephant, confused and panicked, continued to thrash nearby.

On the riverbank, onlookers gasped in horror. A rescue mission meant to save one life had suddenly put many others at risk.

Lives Lost

The ODRAF quickly mobilized another effort, pulling survivors from the water. But the toll had already been taken.

Arindam Das was rushed to SCB Medical College, but despite doctors’ desperate efforts, he was declared dead. His colleague, Prabhat Sinha, clung to life in critical condition. And among the rescuers, tragedy struck as well — ODRAF member Murmu succumbed to his injuries after being pulled from the water.

The news sent shockwaves through Odisha. A journalist who had dedicated his life to telling stories was gone. A rescuer who had pledged his strength to save others had made the ultimate sacrifice.

A Bitter Irony

The elephant, the very reason for the mission, survived. But in the effort to protect it, two human lives were lost. It was a cruel reminder of the risks carried by those who step forward — whether with a camera or in uniform — to serve causes larger than themselves.

Remembering the Fallen

Arindam Das was more than a reporter. To colleagues and viewers, he was a voice of truth, a man who believed in telling the stories that mattered. His last assignment reflected exactly that spirit — not chasing headlines for drama, but standing at the heart of a human-wildlife rescue, showing the world both struggle and compassion.

Murmu, the ODRAF member who perished alongside him, was remembered as a dedicated officer, a man who never hesitated to walk into danger. His death, like Das’s, underscored the human cost of service — the risks quietly accepted by those whose work often goes unseen until tragedy strikes.

A Lesson in Sacrifice

The incident at the Mahanadi river will be remembered not just for the elephant that was saved, but for the lives that were lost in the process. It revealed, in stark clarity, how fragile the line between heroism and heartbreak can be.

In the end, the rescue mission became a story of sacrifice — of a journalist who carried his camera into danger, of a rescuer who gave his life in service, and of the countless others who risk everything so that life, in all its forms, might endure.

For the people of Odisha, and for everyone who reads their story, the message is clear: bravery is not just about saving; sometimes, it’s about the price paid in the attempt.