My office is adjacent to CST. On 26/11, 2008, I was instructing my workers to ready the parcels for the Mumbaiu00c3u0083u00c2u00a2u00c3u0082u00c2u0080u00c3u0082u00c2u0093Kolkata Geetanjali Express when we heard a loud noise. I thought firecrackers were being burst.
CSTu00a0R Tamil Selvam
Railway parcel contractor
ADVERTISEMENT
 |
|
Dead Everywhere: We used around 15 to 20 handcarts to transport over 60 injured and dead commuters. |
 |
| R Tamil Selvam |
My workers and I rushed to the main hall, where we saw people lying in pools of blood and two boys firing indiscriminately. The firing continued for 12 to 15 minutes. An RPF constable tried to intervene, but was shot dead.
The terrorists then began to move towards the platforms where local trains would soon halt.
Taking advantage of the moment, I instructed my workers to move the injured to St George Hospital.
We used around 15 to 20 handcarts to transport over 60 injured and dead commuters. Soon, other railway staffers joined us. I am happy our efforts helped save 35 lives.
The only ambulance to arrive came 30 minutes later and left CST empty, because by then, we had moved the injured from the main hall.
In my school days, I had studied the Jallianwala Bagh massacre in which innocents were shot dead at close range. I believe 26/11 was far worse.
A year later
Several organisations and politicians have rewarded Selvam for his timely actions, but he does not believe he did anything extraordinary.
To mark one year of the attacks, Selvam and his colleagues are conducting a blood donation drive with the help of St George Hospital today.
They aim to collect over 150 bottles of blood, which will strictly be used for rail accident victims.
Next
"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels 
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
