In the wake of a deadly landslide in Kerala’s Wayanad district on July 30, A Sabeena, a 40-year-old nurse from Gudalur, Tamil Nadu, emerged as a hero by zip-lining across the raging Chaliyar River to rescue 35 people stranded on an island. When a bridge collapsed, cutting off access, Sabeena volunteered to cross the river using a zip-line set up by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).
For five days, she provided medical aid to those injured in the disaster, risking her life with every crossing. Sabeena’s courageous efforts earned her the Kalpana Chawla Award during the Independence Day celebrations, along with a cash reward of ₹5 lakh. Her bravery came to light when videos of her daring rescues went viral, leading Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin to honor her.
Sabeena, a single mother, was overwhelmed with joy upon seeing her daughter’s WhatsApp status: “There’s no one in this world braver than my mom.” Her daughter, Shifna, a nursing student, expressed immense pride, saying her mother taught her that humanity should always be the top priority.
Read More: