Sixteen students and two teachers from a Thane school who endured a harrowing two-day ordeal in Lucknow after missing their return train are finally scheduled to return home on Monday. The group had been participating in a Scout-Guide camp when their travel plans went awry, leaving them stranded without viable transportation options.
The Stranding and Failed Rescue Attempt
The teenagers and their teachers found themselves in a desperate situation after missing their scheduled return train from the Scout-Guide camp. With no immediate travel options available, the group was forced to spend nights in a local dharamshala while struggling to arrange transport back to Thane.
In their initial attempt to return home, the accompanying teachers paid Rs 35,000 to a local private bus operator. However, their situation worsened when the bus operator allegedly abandoned them midway through the journey. The operator cited a vehicle snag as the reason but disappeared without providing any alternative arrangements or refund.
Political Intervention Brings Relief
The breakthrough came when one of the worried parents contacted Manoj Pradhan, the Thane district president of the NCP-Sharad Pawar faction. Pradhan immediately escalated the matter to MLA and party national general secretary Jitendra Awhad, who sprang into action to help the stranded group.
Awhad arranged safe accommodation and meals for the students and teachers while coordinating with local representatives in Lucknow. His intervention proved crucial in ensuring the group's well-being during their extended stay. The MLA went a step further by ensuring the group received flight tickets, facilitating their safe return to Mumbai.
Safe Return After Traumatic Experience
After two stressful days away from home, the students and teachers are now set to return to their families. The experience highlighted the vulnerabilities that school groups can face during educational trips and the importance of having reliable emergency protocols in place.
The successful rescue operation demonstrated how prompt political intervention and local coordination can resolve potentially dangerous situations for stranded citizens. The students, though tired from their ordeal, are expected to reunite with their relieved families in Thane on Monday.
