Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government will bear all educational expenses of the two sisters -- Sasmita Giri and Purnima Giri -- who had saved around ten persons, when a boat capsized in Mahanadi river mouth near Nipania in Kendrapara district on Wednesday.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced this while felicitating the two ‘saviour’ sisters at his residence Naveen Niwas this afternoon.

The CM had invited Sasmita and Purnima to personally congratulate them for their brave act which saved many people, including two women and some children, from drowning in the tragic boat accident.

Earlier Naveen had praised and termed the duo are “real heroes of Odisha”.

“They (Sasmita and Purnima) are the real heroes of Odisha and represent the bravery and compassion of young Odisha,”a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office had stated.

Hearing screams, the sister-duo jumped into the crocodile-infested river in the cold wintry night and managed to bring 10 persons ashore.

The ill-fated country boat was carrying 55 passengers more than its capacity when the incident took place. All the passengers had gone to the lighthouse area at Hukitola for a picnic. The mishap took place while they were returning Kujang area of Paradip between 6.30 pm-7 pm.