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NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||23-09-2026

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  NEWS & VIEWS|||SARASIJ|||23-09-2026 WEDNESDAY| VOL—IV/2026/SEPTEMBER OPINIONATED, FOR FREE CIRCULATION. “ बन्धुरात्मात्मनस्तस्य येनात्मैवात्मना जितः । अनात्मनस्तु शत्रुत्वे वर्तेतात्मैव शत्रुवत्” ॥ ६ ॥ BHAGABAD GEETA—CHAPTER 6, VERSE-6 "Who have conquered the mind, it is their finest friend. Who have failed to do so, the mind remains the greatest enemy." OBITUARY: PREETILATA WADDEDAR GOT MARTYRED TODAY,1932. SHE KILLED MORE THAN ONE EUROPEANS. SHE WAS SHOT IN THE EXCHANGE, ESCAPED HURT, THEN TOOK POTTASIUM CYANIDE, AFTER THE CAMPAIGN AT PAHARTALI EUROPEAN CLUB, CHATTOGRAM. World Rhino Day was observed yesterday across the world, including India, to raise awareness about protecting the five remaining rhinoceroses’ species. This year’s theme, “Keep the Five Alive,” calls for stronger efforts to protect rhino habitats, prevent poaching and curb the illegal trade in rhino horn.   INDIA: (GOI, SWARAJYA, VISHWAMITRA, HINDU POST, INDIA TO...
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BHOPAL GAS TRAGEDY--I

GHULAM DASTAGIR: AN UNSUNG HERO

SARASIJ MAJUMDER

He was the Deputy Station Superintendent of Bhopal Junction on December 3rd 1984.

Yes, the Night Bhopal Gas tragedy happened.

Unfortunately for him and fortunately for so many, he stayed there to complete some pending work.

At midnight when he stepped on to the platform, he felt an itch in his throat and burning sensation in his eyes. He rushed to his Station Superintendent's office, but he was dead already.

The Gorakhpur - Mumbai express train with more than 1000 passengers on board was waiting on the platform, for which the departure time was 20 minutes away.

Trusting his instincts, he knew something was clearly wrong. He summoned his staff and told them to clear the train for departure. Even though the staff wasn't ready to do that without any authority, he said he would take full responsibility for the early departure. Breaking all the rules, he flagged off the train.

At this time, he was not even able to walk or breathe properly. But he ignored it.

He then rushed to control room and suspended all the trains coming to Bhopal Junction. He also sent an SOS to nearby stations seeking medical help, which lead to the arrival of paramedics and Ambulance to the station.

He ran from platform to platform consoling the affected passengers and ensuring medical help.

He stayed in the station, doing his duty, knowing that his family is out there in the same city.

His devotion to duty saved thousands of lives that day but he lost one of his son and another developed a lifelong skin infection.

His life was saved on that day, but he was never able to lead a normal life from then. He died in 2003 after 19 years fighting the painful growth in his throat due to the exposure to Methyl Isocyanate.

The railways installed a memorial for those who sacrificed their life on that day. But Gulam Dastagir is not even in the list.

He and his family would've been saved, if he had not chosen to save many others instead of saving himself. But his choice was different.

“A Hero is someone who has given his or her life to something bigger than oneself”----Joseph Campbell


And by all means he's a HERO.

Source:- A railway Publication; Old TOI dt.04-06/12/1984

NOTE:--  2nd Publication is scheduled later.

 

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