Local volunteer to represent Ujjain at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Ujjain — A 30-year-old woman who jumped into the Shipra river to save a drowning 14-year-old during the annual Panchkoshi Yatra in April has been invited to the President of India's 'At Home' reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Independence Day, officials said on Monday.
Hemlata Suryavanshi, also known as Monika, was serving as a Yuva Aapda Mitra (youth disaster volunteer) at the Shri Ram Ghat when the incident occurred this year. According to the account released by local officials, a family had come to the ghat to bathe and observe rites when the 14-year-old stray into deep water and began to drown.
Officials said Hemlata immediately put on a life jacket and entered the river, reaching the child within moments and bringing her safely to shore. The girl was handed back to her family at the ghat, an emotional moment that local authorities said underlined the practical value of trained volunteers at riverfronts during mass religious events.
"Saving a life is the ultimate form of service," the account quotes Hemlata as saying after the invitation was received.
The invitation to the Rashtrapati Bhavan was presented to Hemlata through official channels, and authorities described it as a recognition not only of the individual act but also of the larger scheme of youth volunteers who assist during festivals and pilgrimages on riverbanks in Madhya Pradesh.
- Name: Hemlata Suryavanshi (Monika)
- Age: 30 years
- Role: Yuva Aapda Mitra deployed at Shri Ram Ghat
- Incident: Rescue of a 14-year-old girl from the Shipra river during Panchkoshi Yatra in April
- Recognition: Invitation to President Droupadi Murmu's 'At Home' reception on Independence Day
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| April (this year) | Rescue at Shri Ram Ghat during Panchkoshi Yatra |
| 15 August 2026 | At Home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan (invitee) |
Local disaster management and municipal officials emphasised that the incident highlights the need for continued training and deployment of volunteers along the Shipra, especially during large religious gatherings. Ujjain, a city with a long tradition of river-centric rituals, sees increased footfall at ghats during festivals such as Panchkoshi Yatra, and authorities said preparedness remains a priority.
Yuva Aapda Mitra is a youth-focused initiative intended to enhance community resilience during emergencies, combining basic rescue skills with first aid and crowd management. While the official account did not provide details on Hemlata's prior training, the speed and effectiveness of her response were cited as an example of the scheme's potential benefit when volunteers are positioned at key locations.
For residents of Ujjain, the recognition is a moment of local pride. Officials described the invitation as reflecting well on the city and the state, and said it may serve to encourage more young people to participate in voluntary disaster preparedness and response efforts along the Shipra and other water bodies.
The event also renews focus on river safety during ritual bathing and mass gatherings. Municipal and police authorities have in recent years issued advisories urging devotees to avoid venturing into deep or fast-flowing parts of the river and to heed lifeguard and volunteer instructions at ghats. Incidents of drowning during large congregations have prompted calls for improved signage, more trained volunteers and better life-saving equipment at key ghats.
Hemlata's invitation to the Rashtrapati Bhavan will bring national attention to a local rescue that began at a riverside ghat and ended with an official recognition at the highest level. Officials said the gesture underlines how prompt action by trained volunteers can prevent tragedies during Ujjain's religious events.
