In the meanwhile, Rebello's anxious family had informed the Charbaudi Police, Centre Street that she was missing, around 10.30 p.m. on August 4, after searching at friends' and relatives' houses proved futile. The next day, around noon, the police told them of the case that had come up, since by this time the Command Hospital had informed the police.

Jagtap's timely and unconditional help is commendable, as it saved the family of acute anxiety. Says Jagtap, ``I was walking along Gurudwara Road, going home to Kohima Lines, at around 5 p.m., when I saw this lady fall at a distance. After admitting her to the Command hospital, I came back. I came to know she died late in the evening. A few days later her family came to my house, gave me a mithai-box and thanked me for going out of my way to help.''

Says Karl Rebello, son of Linda Rebello, ``We really appreciate the prompt manner in which army and police came to my mother's aid. They have been very helpful and we have sent letters of appreciation to doctors of the Command Hospital and to Lance Naik Jagtap and his employer, Brigadier Deshpande. We were happy she was given the best treatment.''

There are good Samaritans who help in one's hour of need. After all, who takes any form of identification when out for a leisurely stroll! Linda Rebello took only her keys with her, so it was difficult to identify her. And her frantic family had no clue how to trace her. Fortunately for them Jagtap was on the spot, who says, ``I will do this again if I come across any case like this.''

But the case of Rebello does ring a warning bell - taking some sort of identification with one, wherever one goes, has become important in today's uncertain times.