Virudhunagar: A 10-year-old boy became the hero of his school on Monday morning, when news about his heroic effort to rescue his schoolmate from drowning spread like wildfire.

On Sunday morning, a few villagers and some children from a village in Srivilliputhur decided to visit the Rakkatchiamman temple in Shebagathoppu near their village. Two of the boys, Arunkumar (10), son of Alamelu and Ayyanar (9), son of Ayyanar, had walked ahead. Spotting a waterfall near the temple, the boys decided to take a dip in the pool at the bottom of the falls.

Ayyanar, who did not know swimming, ventured into the 15 ft deep pool and started drowning. As soon as Arunkumar saw Ayyanar's hand raised above the water, he realised that his friend was drowning, and dived in and pulled out the boy by his hair. Meanwhile, the elders reached the spot and pulled both the boys ashore. The villagers, who hailed Arunkumar's timely action, said Ayyanar would have drowned if he had waited for others' help.

Arunkumar (10), who is living with is mother and two siblings in Indira Nagar Colony in Mamsapuram in Srivilliputhur, is a Class 5 student at the government middle school in Otthaipatti in Narayankulam near Srivilliputhur in Virudhunagar district. His father had died a few years ago.

Alamelu, who was the only breadwinner of the family, was initially surprised when villagers started coming to her house to congratulate her. But her happiness knew no bounds when she came to know about the brave deed of her son. Villagers repeatedly praised her for giving birth to such a brave kid.

When the news reached the school on Monday morning, students and teachers lauded the boy for his bravery and presence of mind.

After the incident, Periyakaruppan, a villager said, "Even elders kept away from these pools as they were unaware of the real depth. We were particularly warned to keep away from swimming towards the centre. Ayyanar, who did not pay heed to their warning, waded towards the centre, where the bed of the pool suddenly plunged deep. Arunkumar himself was not a good swimmer. But, he had managed to reach out to the boy and pulled him. Though it was a risky thing to do, yet we appreciate him for his bravery."

The headmistress of the middle school E Jesintha, who handed over a gift to Arunkumar in recognition of his action, said that he has made the school proud.

