A recent Sunday at the sacred Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanam, nestled atop Indrakeeladri, witnessed a harrowing incident that thankfully concluded with a heartwarming reunion. A four-year-old boy, who had momentarily gone missing amidst the throngs of devotees, was safely returned to his mother, all thanks to the timely and astute intervention of Assistant Sub-Inspector R.V. Satyanarayana, an officer from the Chief Minister’s Office Fire Department.
ASI Satyanarayana’s vigilance led him to rescue the young child from a man whose behavior raised immediate suspicion. Following the rescue, the officer promptly handed the boy over to his mother, with temple and police officials present to ensure a safe handover.
According to reports from temple authorities, Lavanya, a resident of Jaggayyapeta, was visiting the temple with her son, Shashi Vajra Aarush, aged four, for a darshan of Goddess Durga. After their prayers, while on the seventh floor of the temple complex, little Aarush became separated from his mother. For nearly three agonizing hours, Ms. Lavanya desperately searched for her son, her frantic efforts eventually giving way to tears.
It was during this distressing time that ASI Satyanarayana, also visiting the temple for darshan, noticed a man leading away a visibly weeping child near the lift area. The scene struck him as immediately suspicious. Trusting his instincts, he intervened, took custody of the child, and promptly alerted Executive Officer Seena Nayak and Chairman Borra Radhakrishna of the temple.
The temple and police officials quickly sprang into action, tracing Ms. Lavanya and facilitating the emotional reunion with her son, Aarush. Both officials extended their heartfelt praise to ASI Satyanarayana for his remarkable presence of mind and decisive action.
In the wake of this incident, temple authorities have issued a renewed appeal to all devotees, urging them to maintain heightened vigilance and keep a close watch on their children, particularly during busy festival periods, to prevent similar incidents.