A Premonition on Ugadi Eve! (Part 3)
Episode - 10
Part - 3
"Save us", shrieked some of the passengers still stuck in the bus. Some others loudly chanted "Govinda ... Govinda... Venkata Ramana -- Srinivasa" and prayed for relief. Some passengers of another bus formed into a human chain to rescue the pilgrims crawling out of the mangled bus.
Part - 3
"Save us", shrieked some of the passengers still stuck in the bus. Some others loudly chanted "Govinda ... Govinda... Venkata Ramana -- Srinivasa" and prayed for relief. Some passengers of another bus formed into a human chain to rescue the pilgrims crawling out of the mangled bus.
Govinda
As I was taking stock of the situation, TTD engineers and ambulances arrived. The engineers started sweating the moment they realized the arduous task of rescuing passengers. With its belly up, the bus was stuck on a hill slope. "Without wasting precious time, rescue the passengers first", I pleaded with the staff. The engineers went into action. They cut open that part of the bus body, which was readily accessible, and pulled out many passengers - some severely injured and some with minor injuries in 20-25 minutes. But some passengers had their hands and heads stuck in the windows. They could not be rescued unless the bus body was open from the other side.
Anxiety streaked the faces of the trapped passengers. "Won't you save us before the bus rolls down further into the valley", they seemed to be pleading helplessly. They could be seen but not rescued. By then, two or three seriously injured passengers had lost their consciousness. Doctors, manning a first aid center improvised at the site administered pain killer shots to the injured passengers and removed them to hospital.
I was anxious to save those who were still alive. All of them had undertaken the pilgrimage out of their deep faith in Lord Srinivasa. I prayed to the Lord that He should vindicate their faith by saving them. I was not certain. Some persons remaining trapped between the seats and the crushed bus body. We could hear shouts and some feeble voices from inside -- but could not access them. The trapped could be rescued if the bus body was cut open with gas cutters. Even the bodies of a couple could not be pulled out through the small opening of the bus body. Barring six passengers, all the rest have been rescued.
Anxiety streaked the faces of the trapped passengers. "Won't you save us before the bus rolls down further into the valley", they seemed to be pleading helplessly. They could be seen but not rescued. By then, two or three seriously injured passengers had lost their consciousness. Doctors, manning a first aid center improvised at the site administered pain killer shots to the injured passengers and removed them to hospital.
I was anxious to save those who were still alive. All of them had undertaken the pilgrimage out of their deep faith in Lord Srinivasa. I prayed to the Lord that He should vindicate their faith by saving them. I was not certain. Some persons remaining trapped between the seats and the crushed bus body. We could hear shouts and some feeble voices from inside -- but could not access them. The trapped could be rescued if the bus body was cut open with gas cutters. Even the bodies of a couple could not be pulled out through the small opening of the bus body. Barring six passengers, all the rest have been rescued.
After discussions among themselves, the engineers made it clear that unless the bus was lifted, it would not be possible to rescue the passengers by making an opening through the top of the bus which was lying upside down. It was a challenge to our capacity and intelligence and my leadership.
Using all the powers at my command, I managed to position two derricks and enthused the engineers to plunge into action. Reaching the equipment to the site and positioning it was itself was a Herculean task. And all were determined to lift the bus and save the passengers. The working area was very steep, rugged and uneven. Incredibly, within half an hour, they fixed hooks to the bus on all its four sides and lifted it. With redoubled vigor, mechanics got under the bus and sliced the body portion with gas cutters. Within an hour, those stuck in the windows and inside could be brought out. By then , it was 4 pm. All the passengers rescued from the bus had been rushed to Ruia Hospital and given treatment. Many had suffered fractures and serious injuries. In all, four persons were killed and two seriously injured. Because I had alerted the hospital even before I left for the accident site, doctor's teams were ready to receive the injured and initiate treatment. The TTD got all the passengers treated at its expense.
Using all the powers at my command, I managed to position two derricks and enthused the engineers to plunge into action. Reaching the equipment to the site and positioning it was itself was a Herculean task. And all were determined to lift the bus and save the passengers. The working area was very steep, rugged and uneven. Incredibly, within half an hour, they fixed hooks to the bus on all its four sides and lifted it. With redoubled vigor, mechanics got under the bus and sliced the body portion with gas cutters. Within an hour, those stuck in the windows and inside could be brought out. By then , it was 4 pm. All the passengers rescued from the bus had been rushed to Ruia Hospital and given treatment. Many had suffered fractures and serious injuries. In all, four persons were killed and two seriously injured. Because I had alerted the hospital even before I left for the accident site, doctor's teams were ready to receive the injured and initiate treatment. The TTD got all the passengers treated at its expense.
BIRRD Hospital , Tirupathi ( TTD)
Even as the rescue effort was on, I assembled the administrative staff and entrusted responsibilities to each of them. The relatives of the dead and the injured had to be notified. Those coming to visit them should be provided food and accommodation. The pilgrim's luggage salvaged from the bus should be handed over to them or their relatives. Ambulances should be readied to take the dead to their native places. Those who suffered minor injuries should be provided transport facilities as per their preference to return to their native places. Poor passengers should be attended to with greater care. The collapsed parapet wall should be rebuilt immediately.
I can't recall how many assignments I had given. It was the only occasion -- barring temple festivals -- when I requisitioned and activated so many officials in so short a time to run on so varied errands. Only after I had called on every accident victim either in hospital or at guesthouses and spotted the satisfaction on their faces did I return home. That was around midnight.
I can't recall how many assignments I had given. It was the only occasion -- barring temple festivals -- when I requisitioned and activated so many officials in so short a time to run on so varied errands. Only after I had called on every accident victim either in hospital or at guesthouses and spotted the satisfaction on their faces did I return home. That was around midnight.
Early next morning, I rushed to Tirumala to have 'darshan' of the Lord and do 'Angapradakshinam' by way of thanksgiving. For what?
The newspapers carried the story of the bus falling into the valley and narrated in graphic details how the entire TTD machinery under the Executive Officer's leadership moved at lightning speed to rescue the passengers. Many well- wishers called up to praise the valiant effort.
As per schedule, I was supposed to be Hyderabad. As I attended the 'Ugadi Asthanam' of Lord Srinivasa, all the happenings of the previous day flashed across my mind. Somebody present there commented "Sir, it is very thoughtful of you to have stayed on for the 'Ugadi Asthanam' here without leaving for Hyderabad to attend the function there. Your crucial presence has saved TTD". Visualizing the Lord, I asked myself: Was I responsible for my 'inaction'? or was I responsible for my 'action'? - Who was responsible?
The newspapers carried the story of the bus falling into the valley and narrated in graphic details how the entire TTD machinery under the Executive Officer's leadership moved at lightning speed to rescue the passengers. Many well- wishers called up to praise the valiant effort.
As per schedule, I was supposed to be Hyderabad. As I attended the 'Ugadi Asthanam' of Lord Srinivasa, all the happenings of the previous day flashed across my mind. Somebody present there commented "Sir, it is very thoughtful of you to have stayed on for the 'Ugadi Asthanam' here without leaving for Hyderabad to attend the function there. Your crucial presence has saved TTD". Visualizing the Lord, I asked myself: Was I responsible for my 'inaction'? or was I responsible for my 'action'? - Who was responsible?
By not going to Hyderabad as scheduled I seemed to have served a greater purpose. But what continues to be a mystery is as to who stood in the way of my departure to Hyderabad.
OM NAMO SRINIVASAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA
OM NAMO NARAYANAYA
OM NAMO VENKATESAYA
11. A Fitting Lesson to the First Servant
04 Feb 2017
04 Feb 2017