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The prize of courage
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The documentary feature, "Thudippu" retells the story of Thirumalai, whose presence of mind saved a life.
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It is time to laud S. Shivpprasadh, the proprietor of Sarada Films, for his socially relevant venture, ``Thudippu'', a documentary in Tamil dedicated to the Posthumous Bravery Awardees. It is the story of a school boy, P. Thirumalai, who rescued an accident victim. Not surprisingly, he won the National Bravery Award in 2000, from the Government of India.
When a producer with a social conscience like Shivpprasadh has come forward with such a noble venture, support must be extended in as many ways as possible like exempting some expenses for shooting.
P. Thirumalai is a eighth standard student of the Chennai Anjuham Higher Secondary School, West Mambalam. The short film opens with his Junior Red Cross session where the counsellor, Dheivamanai, is talking to the students about help, service and friendship being the three guiding tenets of Junior Red Cross. The boy is seen listening keenly.
On his way back home one day (August 8, 1999), he stops at a busy thoroughfare near the Mettupalayam bus stop to fill air in his cycle tyre. A bus is shown speeding along with a young labourer Raja cycling by its side. As the bus swerves, the boy comes under the wheel. Hearing the cry ``accident'', the bus driver stops and jumps out. The passengers alight and gather around. Nobody offers any help for fear that it might result in several unwanted visits to the court or police station.
But Thirumalai pushes his way through the crowd and extricates Raja from under the wheel. The boy's belongings are strewn helter-skelter. Thirumalai ties a bandage tightly around the wound to stop the profuse bleeding, saying that being a Junior Red Cross member, he has been taught how to deal with the situation.
With the help of a passer by, he rushes Raja to the nearby Ezhil Hospital and admits him under Dr. T. Durairajan's care. The doctor compliments the boy on the first aid measures and says the timely admission to hospital has saved a precious life — that of a breadwinner-to-be of a poor family. The Good Samaritan is offered Rs. 100 in appreciation but he suggests it be used for the medical expenses of the accident victim.
It is obvious from this incident that Thirumalai is at an impressionable age when what the teacher tells is gospel truth and the taught listen to the advice of the teacher wholeheartedly.
The next scene shows Thirumalai being decorated with the Bravery Award by the Prime Minister, an excellent note to end the short and crisp documentary on.
The background score by Anusha Rakhee is telling. Since the entire cast is living out the roles, they are their natural selves and no issue of acting steps in. "Thudippu'' needs to be telecast on DD and other channels where youngsters can view it, and be inspired by it.
It is a tribute to the good work being done by the Junior Red Cross. The producer's request that First Aid and Traffic Rules should be made compulsory subjects at school should be complied with.
Other awards that came Thirumalai's way were the Jeevan Raksha Padak (which he received two months ago from the Central Government) and the Good Samaritan Award from the Automobile Association of South India.
Thirumalai's presence of mind to extend timely help saved a life and he is worthy of all the accolades showered on him. And his Junior Red Cross counsellor did the right thing by forwarding his application and doing the needful for her student to secure the Bravery Award. The need of the hour is such unselfish and dedicated human beings.
THARA MOHAN RAO
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