Losing his grandfather in canal made Pargat a saviour for others

A tragic childhood memory turned into a lifelong mission for Pargat Singh, a resident of Dabkheri village in Kurukshetra, who has become a beacon of hope for drowning victims and their families across northern India.

Known as ‘Gotakhor Pargat’, the 41-year-old has spent the past 23 years diving into canals and rivers to save lives and recover bodies — all without charging a single rupee. His service extends across Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and several other states.

“I was around 10 years old when I witnessed my grandfather drowning. I saw him struggling and screaming, but I couldn’t help him. That incident changed my life. I decided to learn swimming and by the age of 12, I began training and helping people. For the past 23 years, I have been helping families retrieve the bodies of their loved ones,” said Pargat Singh.

Despite the risks, Pargat offers his services free of cost, driven by compassion for grieving families.

“We charge no money because the person coming to us is already in trauma. Sometimes we even help people take the bodies back to their districts, as they often travel hundreds of kilometres in canals. Many poor families cannot afford transportation,” he explained.

His selfless work has earned him widespread recognition. Several social and religious organisations and individuals, including Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh, have extended support — Dosanjh even sent turbans to him after learning that Pargat often used his own turban to cover women’s bodies recovered from water.

Initially, his family feared for his safety. “My family, especially because I’m the father of four daughters, used to stop me from risking my life. But after seeing the respect I’ve earned and the number of lives saved, they now take pride in my work,” said Pargat.

Over the years, he claims to have retrieved around 24,000 bodies, saved 2,600 people, rescued 26 crocodiles and saved about 900 animals, often with the help of a small team of volunteers.

“I’ve trained my daughters and formed a team so they can also help in rescues. I just appeal to everyone — don’t commit suicide and don’t go into waterbodies if you don’t know how to swim,” he urged.

Although Pargat often assists the police and forest departments, he says he has received no financial aid from the government.

Recipient of over 520 awards from various organisations and authorities, he continues to sustain his family by selling milk and cultivating two acres.

“The equipment and oxygen cylinders we use were donated by people. Some supporters from abroad also help. The Kurukshetra Development Board refills our gas cylinders. But we still lack a proper rescue boat. If support continues, I’ll keep doing this ‘sewa’; otherwise, I may have to stop, as I have a family to look after,” he said.

“I just want to continue performing the sewa I have been blessed with — for humanity,” Pargat added with humility.