Bhubaneswar, Nov. 24 -- Around fifteen years ago, somewhere in the vast, unforgiving waters of the Bay of Bengal, a Chinese vessel went down and three persons went missing.

The missing trio was alone, exhausted, and battling a sea that showed no mercy. For hours that grew into days, they drifted, salt-stung and shivering, hoping for a miracle.

As their strength faded, a bale of Olive Ridley turtles appeared beside them. The sea creatures were calm, unhurried, and ancient as the ocean itself. The Chinese clung to the turtles' broad shells whenever fatigue dragged them under.

The Olive Ridleys did not leave them. For nearly 72 hours, the turtles stayed close, moving with the drifting men, keeping them afloat, and giving them the strength...