As relentless rains lashed Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj, inundating entire neighborhoods and leaving roads and homes submerged, most residents found themselves battling severe disruptions. But amid the chaos, one man took a surprisingly serene — and spiritual — approach to the deluge.
Sub-inspector Chandradeep Nishad, posted in Prayagraj, has become an unlikely internet sensation after a video surfaced showing him performing a ritual in his flooded home. Waist-deep in murky water, Nishad is seen folding his hands and offering flowers and prayers. But he wasn’t mourning the damage he was welcoming what he believed to be the divine presence of “Ganga Maa.”
“I don’t see this as destruction,” Nishad says in the video. “I see it as the arrival of Ganga Maa. She has come home. Shouldn’t we welcome her?”
His unusual expression of devotion has struck a chord with many on social media, where the video has been widely shared. Some viewers praised his spiritual outlook and humor in the face of adversity, while others criticized the lack of concern over the practical dangers posed by flooding.
Nishad, who claims to be a former national-level swimmer, seemed unfazed by the rising water levels. As floodwaters crept into his residence, he chose not to panic but to find calm in chaos. “People pray to Ganga Maa every day. If she comes to your house, isn’t that a blessing?” he asked in another video clip.
His calm demeanor and unique act of worship have sparked a flood of reactions online. While many applauded his ability to maintain good spirits during a crisis, others pointed out that glorifying floods which displace thousands and cause widespread destruction may not be entirely appropriate.
Yet, for Nishad, this was not about ignoring the damage but about shifting the perspective. “If there is a problem, we have to face it. At least do it with grace,” he told local media outlets.
Social Media Reacts on Up Police Nishad Wellcome Ganga Maa
They encroached on the river basin, turned it into a residential area, and are now performing puja as the river water reaches them during the rainy season in Prayagraj, UP
If they truly respect the Ganga, they should vacate the river area instead of this Theatrics pic.twitter.com/RkGfIGVNLM
— 🐧 (@DrJain21) August 2, 2025
As expected, the Internet had mixed feelings. The video quickly went viral across platforms (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook. Some users hailed the sub-inspector’s act as a sign of resilience and devotion, calling it a “beautiful example of faith in tough times.”
One user wrote, “Only in India would someone stand in floodwaters and perform aarti! Hats off to this man’s spirit and faith.”
Others weren’t as impressed. “Romanticizing floods isn’t helpful,” another user commented. “People are losing their homes, and here we are turning it into a spectacle.”
Some also questioned why officials weren’t doing more to help residents in the affected areas, rather than engaging in symbolic acts.
While Nishad’s video has added a human-interest twist to the ongoing crisis, the larger situation in Prayagraj remains serious. Continuous rainfall has submerged low-lying areas, disrupted traffic, and forced many families to evacuate their homes.
State disaster response teams have been deployed, and relief camps are being set up for displaced residents. Power cuts, waterlogging, and blocked sewage lines have worsened the situation in many parts of the city.
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Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and avoid wading through floodwaters, which can pose risks of infections and electrocution
In a time when natural disasters can leave people feeling helpless, sub-inspector Nishad’s act stands out not just for its devotion, but for its defiance against despair.
Whether seen as a display of unwavering faith or an ill-placed attempt at levity, his moment of ritual has undoubtedly captured the nation’s attention and perhaps, reminded many to find calm amid calamity.
“Floods will go,” Nishad said in an interview. “But our faith, that stays with us.”
