The boy, the hole, the rescue and the millions of onlookers

It captured the imagination of millions of Indians and others from around the world. A three-day rescue mission finally ended in success yesterday when soldiers rescued a child wedged 18m down a well for 50 hours.

The boy, known only as "Prince", emerged apparently unhurt to be greeted by thousand of onlookers and politicians who had gathered to pray for his rescue. They were joined by millions of television viewers watching live broadcasts beamed from the site in the village of Aldeharhi.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was said to be following the story closely and some TV stations said the influx of politicians asking for regular updates delayed the rescue effort.

Before Prince's rescue, an Indian news agency quoted an official in Singh's office as saying that "the Prime Minister prays for the speedy rescue and good health of the young boy. We will take full medical care of the boy on his rescue".

Prince celebrated his 6th birthday on the day of his rescue. No doubt it will be a day he will never forget. He had been playing around the irrigation shaft on Friday when he fell through an empty sack, all that shielded the entrance to the 18m hole. Falling through, he plunged to the bottom of the well just wide enough to take a child but too narrow for an adult.

Villagers were only alerted to his plight when they heard his wails. When local police failed to retrieve the boy, they called in the Army. For two days without a break soldiers used bare hands to clear mud from a disused well 10m from the shaft, careful no to use heavy machinery that might dislodge loose soil.

News networks dangled cameras down the whole, beaming haunting images to viewers of the child.

Zee News network started covering the story on Saturday and soon millions were captivated. Concerned viewers bombarded the phones with messages of sympathy and support.

On Sunday TV networks scrapped schedules to follow the rescue live.

Prince could be heard pleading with his father to be rescued. Later he told his father he was okay, as rescuers sent down milk, and biscuits made by his mother.

When the rescuers reached the required depth, they began burrowing towards the shaft. Once they had broken through, Prince was dragged back through the tunnel and up the abandoned well to daylight and safety.

Special prayers for Prince had been held across India.

"Ever since I saw him, I have been crying. I can't think of anything else, He brave, I would not have survived if I was in his place," said Shashi Jain, a caller to Zee News.

- INDEPENDENT