Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel met Rahul Sahu (11) at Apollo Hospital in Bilaspur where the boy is recuperating after spending about 105 hours in a narrow borewell in Janjgir-Champa district of the state. Rahul was rescued from the borewell close to midnight on Tuesday, in what is being called as one of the biggest rescue operations of its kind in the country.
Baghel went from Delhi to Bilaspur to meet Rahul, whose health condition is satisfactory. The chief minister, apart from directing the doctors to ensure full medical facilities for the boy, told his mother Geeta Sahu that the government will take care of the education of Rahul. The boy is mentally challenged and has difficulty in hearing and speech.
Geeta became emotional in the presence of the chief minister and said he was like god to the family. She expressed gratitude to the entire administrative and rescue team. The chief minister responded saying it was the duty of the government (to save Rahul) and life of each citizen was priceless to the government.
Baghel also said the rescue team had done amazing work, but it was the duty of the government team.
Rahul, a resident of Pihrid village in Malkharoda of Janjgir-Champa had fallen into an open 60-feet borewell pit near his home on Friday (June 10) afternoon. The district administration, led by collector Jitendra Kumar Shukla, had started making efforts for his rescue the same evening, providing oxygen support to the boy and making attempts to bring him out using a crane. However, soon it became apparent that the task was very difficult and needed experts.
In addition to the state disaster management team, the National Disaster Management (NDRF) team came from Cuttack in Odisha and Bhilai to join the rescue operation. Army Colonel Chinmoy Pareek was engaged in this mission with his team too.
Rahul was being provided juice, bananas and other food items, while he was trapped in the borewell, and the rescue personnel as well as family members kept talking to him regularly. Oxygen was also being supplied, along with the special cameras for monitoring his condition. Emergency medical arrangements were made and ambulances were also deployed.
A parallel pit was dug and then a tunnel was made to reach Rahul even as a massive rock structures delayed the entire operation. Care had to be taken not to use very heavy equipment to ensure the safety of Rahul. The boy was finally brought out, covered in mud and water and tired but conscious, close to midnight of Tuesday. He was immediately rushed to Apollo Hospital in Bilaspur using a green corridor that was prepared in advance.
Baghel, who had been monitoring the rescue operations all through and also held a video call with family to give them courage, was the first to tweet about the successful rescue. “Yes, the challenge was difficult, but our team was always ready to handle it. While the path was rocky, our courage was even mightier,” he wrote. Baghel said everyone’s prayers and the dedication of the rescue team have led to the safe rescue of Rahul and wished for his speedy recovery.
The chief minister said Rahul showed extraordinary courage while being trapped in a borewell for almost 105 hours. He said every team involved in the operation including NDRF, SDRF, SECL, Chhattisgarh Police, Indian Army, Medical groups, and administrative officers have collectively made the rescue operation a huge success with patience, courage, and intelligence.
