'Waiting for your return': Families rejoice as workers make first contact after 17-day ordeal

The prayers and perseverance of the family members of the 41 workers who were trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel for 17 days, have finally paid off. The family members of the rescued workers got emotional as they interacted with the workers for the first time in 17 days since they got trapped in the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi on November 12. of the rescued workers from the collapsed Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi shared their emotional journey as their loved ones emerged safe after a 17-day ordeal. Among these stories, the accounts from the families of Akhilesh Kumar, Sabha Ahmad, Sourav Pakhira and Joydeb Pramanick provided insights into the agony and eventual relief they experienced.

Akhilesh's wife was six-month pregnant and unaware of his 17-day ordeal

Akhilesh Kumar's family, hailing from Gharwaspur village in UP's Mirzapur, narrated a touching tale of emotional ups and downs. Akhilesh's mother, visibly relieved, disclosed that her daughter-in-law was unaware of Akhilesh being trapped in the tunnel until his safe return yesterday, revealing, "Akhilesh's wife is 6 months pregnant; she was not informed about Akhilesh getting trapped. Yesterday, when Akhilesh came out, she was told about him." His father, who vowed not to cut his hair and beard until Akhilesh's safe return, expressed fulfilment as his vow finally concluded.

Saba's wife expresses gratitude

Similarly, Saba Ahmad's family shared their gratitude through Sabiha Khatun, Sabha's wife, expressing thanks to god and all involved in rescue for her husband's safe return. They interacted with Sabha via video call, showcasing relief at his emergence from the tunnel.

Because of your ‘will’, we survived: Joydeb Pramanick's father

From West Bengal's Hooghly district, Joydeb Pramanick's father, in a video call conversation, asked his son, "How are you? It is because of your ‘will’ that we managed to survive the 17-day ordeal. It's your courage and that of these 40 other trapped men that we persisted."

The rescue operation involved relentless efforts from rat-hole mining experts who toiled through rubble until breaching the final stretch. This allowed rescue teams from NDRF and SDRF to access the workers using a steel chute and extract each one with careful precision using wheeled stretchers.

Speaking exclusively to Republic, Joydeb Pramanick sounded optimistic even after the 17-day ordeal. When asked how he was feeling after coming out of darkness, Pramanik said, “Everything is fine. I'm going to the hospital now.”

Everyone awaits your arrival: Sourav Pakhira's mother

In a telephonic conversation with Sourav Pakhira, one of the 41 rescued workers, his mother, while rejoicing Pakhira's safe evacuation from the tunnel, said, “I'm happy and waiting for your return. Everyone has gathered just to hear from you. I knew that you will be safe. I prayed persistently for your safe return.” She added, Pakhira informed her that he's ‘doing well’ and ‘had no issues’ post the rescue.

Dhami meets recovering workers 

Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami following the rescue operation yesterday  personally visited the Chinyalisaur Community Health Centre to ensure the rescued workers' well-being and handed over relief cheques to aid in their recovery. "I just met each of them; they are in fine condition right now. I am thankful to PM Modi; with full courage, they survived these days," expressed CM Dhami.

After receiving initial medical attention, the workers are slated for transfer to AIIMS Dehradun for further care.