Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the Panika family in Bamun Pukhuri village to offer his condolences. Hridip Panika, a 13-year-old student in Class 8 at the Model School, died while rescuing his three-month-old puppy, Borun, from floodwaters in the Sivasagar district's Nazira area. The boy jumped into the strong current to save the animal he had raised since it was six weeks old. The puppy lived. Hridip did not.
His father, Deepak Panika, described the horror of the floods that swept away his only child. His mother, Parbati Panika, shared how her brother attempted to help during the crisis, yet the water proved too fast. Rescuers later recovered Hridip’s body after an extensive search. The family lost their home and belongings to the rising tide.
Sarma hugged the grieving mother and held Deepak’s hand. He promised to construct a new house and provide full government assistance to the couple. The Chief Minister offered a somber reality to the parents during his visit: "I can help you in every possible way. I will build your house and do everything I can, but I cannot bring your son back."
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