Twenty-four-year-old Bharat Maurya from Nalasopara displayed exemplary bravery on January 11 when he dived into a 15-foot-deep water tank to save a four-year-old boy from drowning at an under-construction site. The inquisitive child had slipped into the tank after he went too close to its edge.

The incident happened at Darshana Apartments on the Nalasopara-Vasai Link Road. The complex has two towers of which one is complete. The boy, Mohit Mhatre, and his family are residents of the first tower.

Mohit’s mother Yogita said they have to pass through the under-construction tower to reach their place. On Saturday, the two were returning after buying groceries Yogita got the shock of her life. “I was holding Mohit’s hand and going upstairs. But he broke free and ran towards the tank. Before I could react, had fallen inside.”

Yogita said she began screaming for help. “My son was drowning in front of my eyes. That’s when Bharat jumped into the tank and brought him to safety.”

Bharat, an electrical contractor, said he had just finished giving instructions to his workers and was climbing down. “I had reached the ground floor when I heard the screams. Without thinking, I jumped inside and caught the boy by his neck.”

Yogita was all in praises for Bharat as tears of joy rolled down her cheeks. She said, “Had he not been there at the time, I don’t know what would have happened. God has given Mohit a new life and I won’t let him go downstairs.”