In 2007, Ankit Rai was kidnapped from a playground near his home. After a frantic search was launched for the missing boy, Ankit’s kidnappers dumped him in the middle of two railway tracks, thinking he was dead.
A speeding train ran over the six and a half-year-old Ankit’s arm, but he escaped from the ordeal alive — but not without paying the price of losing an arm.
After gaining consciousness, Ankit lifted his amputated arm and somehow found his way home. This act redefined his life — he did not let the perpetrators decide his fate.
He later helped the police in nabbing the culprits who had demanded a ransom of Rs 7 lakh. They turned out to be tenants in the family’s house. Ankit’s courage earned him the National Bravery Award in January 2008.
Nine years later, photographer Sanjeev Verma went back to find the ‘boy who lived’ — now a cheerful teenager with an endearing smile. Ankit, who will turn the age of 16 in November, lives with his father and mother, Lallan and Pushpa, in Faridabad.
He enjoys biking and dancing. He is currently enrolled in a local dancing academy, where he aspires to be a professional dancer like his idol and Bollywood star, Tiger Shroff.
When he’s not busy pulling off Shroff’s dance moves, Ankit likes to explore his gadgets.
Despite a gruesome past, Ankit strives to overcome his disability. He lives life by the mantra of being positive and seeing the brighter side of life.
Editor: Zehra Kazmi
Web Producer: Harry Stevens