MANISH RAJ
Deoghar, April 13: Many things went viral during the Trikut ropeway tragedy, including a video of a heated discussion between local Godda MP Nishikant Dubey and Deoghar DC Manjunath Bhajantri which became the most popular topic of discussion among civilians and officials.
However, when the name of a particular person who was involved in the rescue operation was revealed, it sidelined all other topics. That person did something that had to be talked about by everyone.
The name of this extraordinary person is Panna Lal Panjiyara. No one will ever forget this name because his courage helped several of the tourists, who were stranded midair in the cabins, in getting a new lease of life.
When his parents would have named their child ‘Panna’ (Emerald gemstone in English), they might have not imagined that one day the value of this gem will be recognised by all.
Panna Lal Panjiyara, a resident of Basdiha village, took a ‘Hanuman’ jump when everyone was thinking that saving the tourists swinging in the air was challenging.
Panna and his associates deserve full credit for the rescue of tourists who were saved on the first day of the incident.
Panna works for the ropeway as a maintenance worker. He is skilled in performing ropeway repairs. His experience came in handy during the crisis. He approached two trolleys using the ropeway intended for maintenance work and safely rescued the tourists trapped in those cabins using indigenous ‘Jugad’ technology with the help of ropes and chairs.
Today, this local hero is being saluted by everyone. Panna’s action, as well as that of locals Umesh Singh, Upendra Biswakarma, Naresh Gupta, and Shilawar Choudhary, is claimed to have given the local administration the courage to carry out the rest of the rescue operation.
Whatever political statements and self-proclaimed appreciation are finding their way onto social media, Panna and his team’s effort stands out among all of them.
Though, only time will determine how and to what degree Panna Lal will be honoured, but the tourists who have found new life as a result of his tremendous courage will remember him for the rest of their life.
