Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Sept 4: He kept chanting the “Mahamantra Here Krishna” for nine days hoping against hopes of being rescued from the trapped tunnel sooner than later and co-incidentally on the Krishna Janmasthami day he could again see the light of the day being one of the two survivors rescued from the tunnel.
An elated 30-year old Sanjay Sah, who hails from Nepal’s Saptari district of the Madhesh province and a working as a foreman in the Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA), in a brief chat with media persons after he was brought out of the trapped tunnel by the rescue squad, said he kept chanting ‘Hare Krishna’ mantra for nine straight days inside the tunnel, while staying behind after others fled following the tragedy. “I was chanting Hare Krishna mahamantra for the past nine days,” he said.
Sah was rushed to a hospital located in Trishuli after being provided initial medical assistance at the spot. As of now, his condition remains stable and he has no health concerns.
Sah, who was rescued along with 45-year-old Kabir Maharjan, a mechanical supervisor, who has been airlifted to Nepal Army Hospital in Kathmandu’s Chhauni due to his health complications, has said he was inside the control room when the disaster took place.
“I was working in the control room. My responsibility was to save everyone’s life,” Sah said, while adding that he had urged others to leave. By the time others left, it was too late for him to escape. “There were only three or four people with whom we were able to communicate, nearby, by talking or making noises,” Sah said, as he added that many others could be trapped inside the tunnel. “Not everyone may have been able to escape. The tunnel is very long.”
The tunnel at the Trishuli 3A hydropower project collapsed following last week’s flash floods. Two of the trapped people, Sah and Maharjan, were rescued on Friday following a daring rescue operation by Nepal Army and Armed Police Force.
The flash floods, triggered by an ice-rock avalanche near the Nepal-Tibet border, have so far claimed over 1,295 lives in Nepal, while more than 4,700 remain missing. This includes over 600 people who were working at 11 hydropower projects across the country.
An estimated 280 children are missing in Rasuwa, and between 300 and 350 others remain unaccounted for in the neighbouring Nuwakot in central Nepal, the Kathmandu Post newspaper reported, citing figures compiled by local Education Development and Coordination Units (EDCUs), local governments, and educational institutions.
Ministry of External Affairs Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Friday said 275 Indian nationals were still missing after the Nepal floods and India continued to be in close touch with the Nepal government and the relevant or concerned state governments in India.
“We have been regularly releasing the names of Indians who have been rescued… We deeply appreciate the efforts of the Nepalese authorities in this regard. So far, 166 Indian nationals have been rescued in Nepal… so far, 1,907 Indian nationals have safely crossed into Nepal from China. And as per official sources in China, there are no Indian travellers who are stranded in the Tibetan Autonomous Region in China,” he said.
Talking about India’s support to Nepal amid the flood situation, Randhir Jaiswal said, “We will continue to provide assistance as per the requirements of the Government of Nepal. We do in the coming days plan to send more forensic kits, Bailey bridges, and other materials that are requested by the government of Nepal and these details will be shared with you as and when these supplies are undertaken, he added.
“Yesterday, we had two Indian aircraft flying to Kathmandu along with 21 tons of relief material… Till now, we have supplied around 95 tons of relief material on seven aircraft… In addition to the relief material, we have also sent 54 personnel to support relief and rescue efforts in Nepal. This comprises 30 tunnel rescue experts, 19 forensic experts, and a five-member medical team. Our rescue and forensic teams are deployed on the ground, and they are working closely with the Nepalese authorities,” Mr Jaiswal said.
On Nepal foreign minister’s remarks about Nepal seeking compensation and not charity because of the greenhouse emissions, Mr Jaiswal said, “…In the wake of this tragedy, we have extended our solidarity and support to the government and people of Nepal. As a close friend and partner, India responded promptly, and we will continue to support the reconstruction and recovery efforts in the country.”
“In particular, regarding the remarks that you referred to, I understand that a clarification has also been issued by the Nepalese side. Having said that, let me say that India has consistently maintained that climate change is a common challenge, and action in this regard must be based on the principle of common differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, developed countries who historically are responsible for the emissions and have contributed overwhelmingly to the civil crisis, must take lead in reducing emissions and supporting developing countries by way of finance and technology transfer to meet this challenge.”