“Silo the Savior” won the Indian Hero Award.They recall brave rescue

NDTV India Hero Awards: Those who rescued workers trapped in tunnel in Uttarakhand

New Delhi:

A group of men who rescued 41 workers trapped in a collapsed tunnel in Uttarakhand have been honored with the Indian Hero Award by NDTV.

Workers inside the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand were trapped for 17 days, with some of the world’s best experts and equipment unable to make any progress – until the men, armed with basic tools, started digging, using a tool called “Rat” illegal technology. – Borehole Mining”. They are the saviors of Silchiara.

The winners include Vakeel Hasan, Munna Qureshi, Nasheen Md, Rasheed Md Eshaad, Feroz, Naseerudin and Kalimullah.

The Uttarakhand rescue hero said: “It is God’s blessings and the blessings of 1.44 billion Indian people that make this rescue mission a success.” “What can one person do alone? It is love and encouragement that give us strength ,”they said.

Given the enormity of the challenges they faced, did they feel at any point during the rescue operation that they would not succeed? Munna Qureshi said his friend Wakil Hasan called him to say that 41 people had been killed. Trapped under a tunnel, we need to do something fast.

“I don’t know. We work hard to make a living, take care of our families, and don’t have time to watch the news. Then bhaiyan said 41 people needed rescue. Big, big machines were broken. I asked him to send us a video of the situation , and he did,” Mr. Qureshi said.

“I saw the video and told him, yes, we can rescue them. Our entire team was prepared. Later when we reached the spot, we expected it would take 24 to 36 hours. But now people trust diplomas more than experience ,” he added.

An American auger failed to clear debris blocking an escape route for 41 workers. Qureshi and his team then used a rat hole mining technique, which involves one man drilling a hole, another collecting the rubble and a third man placing it on a wheelbarrow so it can be pulled out. Neeraj Khairwal, nodal officer of the Uttarakhand government, said they are not rat hole miners but understand the technology.

The NDTV Indian of the Year Awards recognize those who have shown vision, embraced uniqueness and redefined the essence of being truly Indian.