A miraculous rescue unfolded in Nepal coinciding with the celebration of Krishna Janmashtami, as two hydropower workers trapped for ten days inside a tunnel located 170 meters underground were brought out safely. The subterranean passage lacked even a ray of sunlight and was filled entirely with thick mud. With no drinking water, no food supply, and virtually no breathable air, surviving inside for ten full days has astonished rescue operations experts.
Ten Days of Survival in Darkness and Mud
Rescue teams spent ten exhausting days working day and night just to carve out a small pathway to reach the trapped men. How anyone managed to stay alive under such extreme conditions for over a week has baffled professionals. However, the survivors attribute their miraculous survival entirely to divine grace. They spent ten days continuously chanting the Maha Mantra, Hare Krishna, which they believe granted them a new lease on life. This successful extraction has renewed hope among rescue workers, as roughly forty more individuals are believed trapped within the same tunnel, prompting authorities to intensify search operations in anticipation of another miracle.
The Ordeal of Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan
Thirty-year-old Sanjay Sah was safely pulled out from the debris-choked tunnel after ten days, followed shortly by forty-five-year-old Kabir Maharjan, who also emerged unharmed. Both men had been trapped inside the Trishuli 3-A tunnel ever since devastating floods struck the region on August 26. Initially, nobody knew their precise location, and all communication lines were completely severed. No one could confirm whether anyone trapped inside the tunnel was still breathing.
Unwavering Willpower and Duty
Despite ten elapsed days devoid of air, water, or food, Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan relied on an indomitable will to live and an unwavering faith in God. Both men are employees of the Nepal Electricity Authority, with Sanjay serving as a mechanical foreman and Kabir as a mechanical supervisor. Sanjay was stationed inside the control room of the Trishuli 3-A hydropower project when disaster struck. Because of his location in the control room, he received the earliest warning of impending danger.
The Rescue Operations and International Expertise
Although Sanjay had an opportunity to escape, he chose to alert his colleagues first and urged them to flee to safety. Many managed to escape, but by the time Sanjay attempted to leave, it was too late, and the entire tunnel had filled with thick mud and massive boulders. Upon seeing daylight after ten days, medical checks revealed that Sanjay's vital parameters were remarkably stable, though he was visibly weakened from enduring ten days without food or water. Sanjay recounted that six people were initially near him and they communicated constantly. Refusing to lose hope through the ordeal, they kept chanting the Maha Mantra and praying for deliverance.
The Goldilocks Zone and Global Specialists
Experts explain that individuals positioned in the upper sections of maintenance tunnels stand a strong chance of survival because natural airflow is sustained there. Rescue operations are currently underway across three debris-filled tunnels at the Nepali hydropower project. Teams comprising the Nepali Army, Indian Army, Chinese forces, and Korean military personnel are actively participating. Australian geologist Arnold Dicks, who previously led the rescue team that saved 41 trapped workers in India's Silkyara tunnel, was also brought in to assist.
Family Relief and the Auspicious Timing
Arnold Dicks noted that the two survivors were stationed within the tunnel's Goldilocks zone, which is naturally the safest area during any structural accident. Located at the uppermost part of the tunnel, this zone is engineered to maintain habitable conditions. Rescue teams prioritized reaching this specific area first. For the families of Sanjay Sah and Kabir Maharjan, technical explanations matter little compared to the sheer joy of seeing their loved ones return safely and regaining hope for those still trapped. The specialized tunnel rescue unit of the Indian Army played a crucial role in the operation. The survivors noted that they continuously chanted the Hare Rama Hare Krishna mantra, making it a striking coincidence that they witnessed sunlight and gained a new life precisely on Krishna Janmashtami.
Yogi Adityanath Pledges Development in Mathura
Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath celebrated Janmashtami at the Krishna Janmashtami temple in Mathura. Showering flowers on devotees, Yogi assured them that after Ayodhya and Kashi, Mathura's turn has arrived. His administration will transform the birthplace of Lord Krishna with the same grandeur seen in Ayodhya and Kashi. The Chief Minister declared that his government will restore the opulence of the Dvapara Yuga to the Braj region, fostering comprehensive development across Mathura, Vrindavan, Gokul, Barsana, and the surrounding areas.
A Warning to Critics of Sanatana Dharma
Launching a sharp critique against opponents of Sanatana Dharma, Yogi stated that supporters of Aurangzeb and Babur who ignore Hindu sentiments are reaping the consequences of their actions and have been relegated to insignificance by the public. He asserted that those who oppose Sanatana culture will face a downfall akin to Kansa. The massive surge of devotees visiting temples during Janmashtami proves that attendance during major festivals like Shivratri, Ram Navami, and Janmashtami continues to grow steadily. While infrastructure at places like the Ayodhya Ram Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath, and Mahakal has been successfully reconstructed and crowd management improved, Mathura and Vrindavan lag significantly behind.
Challenges in Vrindavan and Regional Growth
Recalling his visit to Banke Bihari temple a few months prior, the Chief Minister noted the overwhelming crowds and safety concerns involving monkeys along the approach routes, while Mathura and Barsana face similar structural deficiencies. Revitalizing the entire Braj region will not only simplify pilgrimage experiences for global devotees but also generate employment opportunities and spur economic prosperity across the locality.
Tensions Within the Pawar Family
In Maharashtra, political friction within the family of Sharad Pawar has spilled publicly into the open. Sharad Pawar's daughter, Supriya Sule, stated that Nationalist Congress Party leaders appear entirely uninterested in uncovering the truth behind Ajit Dada's death. Ajit Pawar passed away following a plane crash on February 28. Since then, Rohit Pawar and Supriya Sule have repeatedly raised questions regarding the aviation accident, demanding a formal FIR and thorough investigation.
Divergent Stances from Supriya and Sunetra
Supriya Sule criticized NCP leaders for maintaining absolute silence over Ajit Pawar's death and failing to track the progress of the police inquiry, accusing party colleagues of enjoying power while she mourned her brother. In response, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, who is Ajit Pawar's widow, urged that politics should not be brought into Ajit Dada's passing and emphasized that investigative agencies require adequate time to complete their work.
Preserving Personal Bonds Amid Political Divides
Sunetra expressed the deep personal grief she and her sons share, noting that she is personally monitoring the investigation and requesting an end to misleading commentary. Despite past electoral contests between Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar in Baramti, Ajit Dada had historically prevented permanent fractures within the family, maintaining cordial ties with his uncle Sharad Pawar even after establishing a separate political faction. Supriya consistently addressed him as Dada and refrained from public criticism. Although political differences existed, public perception valued the Pawar family's commitment to preserving personal relationships, making the resurgence of past grievances following Ajit Dada's passing an unfortunate development for the family.
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