100+ lives saved from one lake. Does Tank Bund Shiva deserve a national medal?

📍 Hyderabad, Telangana, India

For about 25 years, a man Hyderabad calls "Tank Bund Shiva" has pulled people out of Hussain Sagar lake, more than 100 of them alive (The News Minute, Deccan Chronicle). He started in 2001 after his younger brother Mahender drowned. He worked with no salary and no safety gear, and lived for years in a rooftop tent. "The satisfaction I feel when I save a life is something else," he says (BBC News Telugu). On 31 Mar 2026 the Telangana government gave him Rs 5 lakh, a house order and a Home Guard job for his son (Siasat, Deccan Chronicle). He has no national life-saving award. So, does Tank Bund Shiva deserve a national medal?

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23 votes · tap an option to vote

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23votes

Yes, long overdue26% · 6
State help is enough65% · 15
Medals don't matter9% · 2
Never heard of him0% · 0

65% of 23 voters think “State help is enough” — the majority view so far.

ℹ️ Source: Dhishuum, public opinion online

Documents & evidence

BBC News Telugu: Tank Bund Shiva, who saves lives at Hussain Sagar▶ Watch▶

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T
Tank Bund Shiva
Has pulled 100+ people alive out of Hussain Sagar since 2001, the subject of this poll
🔗 Link
H
Hussain Sagar
The Hyderabad lake he has guarded for about 25 years
🔗 Link

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