Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Sept 11: As many as 900 people including 147 stranded sportspersons, who were airlifted to Jammu today on day-4 of the rescue operation, were warmly received by their relatives waiting in the wings at Technical Airport, here today.
The airlifted people were all praise for the Indian Army, NDRF, Indian Air Force and allied Central Forces for their superb display in rescuing the people from the flood-hit areas of Srinagar and other places in the Valley. However, some people lavished praise on the locals for their help and cooperation.
Interacting with the media persons, Pranshant Pantange, Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Force Station Jammu said that around 900 people have been airlifted from Srinagar to Jammu today, adding that around 50 to 60 tons of load including food, relief and allied items have also been lifted to Srinagar from Jammu today. He added that the rescue operation has been intensified and 70 aircrafts are being used at a stretch for relief and rescue measures in the flood-hit Valley.
Appreciating the Central Forces for their Yeoman’s job in rescuing the people, Narinder Kour, wife of Tejinder Singh, lauded the local people for their help and cooperation in taking her to home.
Narrating her tale of woes, Mrs Narinder said that she with the help of some locals managed to escape from her house at flooded Tulsi Bagh after using mattresses and electric wires to travel some distance before being rescued properly by the Army. She added that it was simply a nightmarish experience and traveling via mattresses was an uphill task for her.
Urmila Bhat, who was rescued from Sector-C Indira Nagar while sharing her experience said, that it were the Central Forces all the way saving the lives of thousands of people during this disaster. She said that there is hardly any role of local administration and termed Army as redeemers and saviors.
Hafiz Abdul Gani Malik, Sarpanch, Halqa Panchayat, Bathoi, Mahore was also airlifted today, who was exceptional person to praise local Administration for his relief and rescue.
Tired but relieved, Sanjay Koul while interacting with EXCELSIOR said that the urgent need is to provide food and water to the people who have been rescued to the safer places in the Valley, adding that there is no safety without food and drinking water.
Meanwhile, 147 sportspersons including coaches, who were staying at Shaheed Bunga Gurdwara, Barzulla after being rescued yesterday, were also airlifted today and were received by their parents and the Officers and Officials of the DYSS including Deputy Director Kanchan Bala and DYSSOs of Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur districts.
Joginder Singh, guardian of player Jyotir Aditya Singh while expressing satisfaction over the safe arrival of their wards said that though it was A‘better late than never’ situation, yet the best part of it was ‘no politics’ as apart from Sports Minister, Raman Bhalla, the leaders from other parties including Lal Singh, besides coaches and managers of the teams played their part in rescuing the players.
Talking to EXCELSIOR the airlifted players including Karan Singh, Vikram Singh, Rajat Singh (Wushu) and Vishal Singh Charak and Rishab Dogra (Sqay) shared the nightmarish experience of the trip and said that the tour was an amalgam of pain and joy.
They said that they had to turn as daredevils in crossing from youth hostel to multi-storeyed Bakshi Stadium by traveling the distance through cable wires and the ropes made by knotting many track suits with each other, adding that they had to use the same formula for searching their food.
They added that after managing two days on ladoos and water to satisfy their hunger and quench their thirst, they were provided a healthy refreshment by the Army personnel.
Apart from Army, they were all praise for their coaches and the support staff for coming to their rescue.
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