Ten years ago, two-year-old Aradhana Pradhan accidentally fell into the Seti Gorge near Nayagaun in Pokhara. The news spread like wildfire, but every rescue effort—including that of Nepal Canyoning Association which had sent a five-member team from Kathmandu to Pokhara on the very same day—failed due the gorge’s steepness. While the parents and a couple hundred bystanders knew the little girl was still alive and asking for help, nobody could reach out to her.

Among the by-standers was Salom Nepali who by the next morning had already realised that only a person of sleek and small built could enter the gorge and possibly rescue the little girl. It was then that he thought of his 12-year-old little brother Kamal Nepali who would be just the right person to do the job. When Salom brought his brother to the location and proposed that Kamal rescue the little girl, the authorities did not entertain the idea, but the Nepali brothers would not give up. Kamal climbed down the gorge fully equipped with safety gear from Nepal Canyoning Association.

The crowd stood still unsure if they were waiting for a tragedy or a triumph. It was after 30 whole minutes that Kamal climbed out of the 65 feet gorge with little Aradhana. That day, Pokhara found its new and possibly the youngest hero.

Kamal’s bravery has been applauded and celebrated in various ways—he was showered with scholarships by multiple schools to help him finish schooling; the then Prime Minster Girija Prasad Koirala personally met the young boy to salute his courage and presented a reward of three lakh rupees; he was also honoured with the Bal Prativa Puraskar, alongside the title of ‘Barsa Balak’—Child of the year.

A book that recants the story of Kamal’s bravery was launched amid an event marking the tenth anniversary of the bitter-sweet episode on Sunday. Published by Sahasi Balak Kamal Nepali Adhyayan Pratisthan, an academy that was formed after him, the book is written by Dan Bahadur Bishwakarma. Besides the fateful incidents that transpired that day, the book delves into the hero’s childhood, family background, and his current life.

President of the Academy, DB Nepali, said, “We published the book so that the mark that Kamal Nepali has left in the history with his courage is not forgotten.” He added, “It is only fair that we record and preserve his contribution.”

The publishers announced that the money the book raises will be used as a fund for Kamal’s high school education.

Now 21 years old, Kamal is currently studying at Xavier’s Academy in the Capital. Athletic in nature he is passionate about gymnastic and swimming. The little girl he rescued, Aradhana, is now 12 years old and studies in Grade six at a local school in Pokhara.