New Delhi, July 3 -- In a deeply tragic case, 22-year-old Kabaddi player Brijesh Solanki from Uttar Pradesh died of rabies, weeks after being bitten by a stray puppy he had rescued from a drain. A promising state-level athlete and gold medallist, Brijesh was being groomed for the Pro Kabaddi League. His death has sparked shock and concern across social media and raised urgent questions about awareness around rabies prevention.

According to a Times of India report, Brijesh did not take the anti-rabies vaccine after the minor bite, believing it to be harmless. His family said he did not realise the seriousness of the injury and mistook the early symptoms for a routine sports injury.

"He pulled a puppy out of a drain and it bit him lightly...