The day was 13 September 2008. 11-year-old Rahul was selling balloons on the street when he spotted people putting a black polythene bag in a dustbin on Barakhamba Road. His first instinct was to inform the police, who, with his help, got a sketch of the terrorists’ made. With his help, the police found the terrorists in an encounter, one of whom he later helped identify.
His courageous act was rewarded with many national bravery awards yet nine years later, his condition is no different for having helped police and potentially saving lives. Being the sole earner in the family, he now has to run from pillar to post to make ends meet and feed his family.
Once proud of his act, Rahul now feels he should have kept shut. His regret stems out from the loss of hope for a better future that he held on to for the past nine years.
Video Editor: Purnendu Pritam
(This story is being reposted from The Quint’s archives on the anniversary of the 2008 Delhi blasts. It was originally published on 13 September 2017.)
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