I was confused and unable to take a decision. The policemen with me started to call their family members and so did I. But I could not connect with my family. Another group of police officers came to Jagdol to ask for the bulldozer while informing me that a seven-storey building had collapsed. Many people were trapped in the building and most of them were dead. I went with the police officer to remove the rubble. Hundreds of people were around the building to witness the devastation. I went inside the collapsed building to search for living persons.
After a while, I learned that bulldozers were needed to rescue people trapped inside a building in Tinchule, Bouddha. I tried to call another bulldozer driver but was not able to connect. When I got to the incident site, I saw that a three-storey building had collapsed and someone was crying for help. We dismantled the collapsed floor with hammer, cut the iron bar, and removed the debris. I noticed some women screaming from the trapped part. It was dark inside but we were consoling them: "You are safe, do not worry". Aftershocks only complicated the picture.
After some struggle, I saw a dead body. Two girls were trapped behind the dead body. It was difficult to rescue them without removing the dead body. We brought a car jack to lift the fallen pillar and a strong rope to pull it out but the trapped girls were screaming, with pain. Later, we noticed that one of the girls' hands was under the fallen pillar. Luckily we were able to remove the dead body. The trapped girls were crying, screaming and asking for water, which I provided to them.
We were able to rescue the two girls after two and a half hours. One leg of first rescued girl was broken and my tracksuit was stained with her blood while I carried her on my shoulders. Another girl was fine, except for minor injuries. I sent them to the hospital. I am happy to have rescued two people and am thankful to those involved in that operation.
After the successful rescue operation, I ran to the other areas to rescue people but noticed that I was alone. Again, I called my family and was luckily able to connect with them; they were safe and sound. Once again I went to the seven-storey building of Jorpati and saw more rescue personnel from Nepal Army and Nepal Police with additional bulldozers. I instructed our bulldozer driver to carry on rescue operation without fear and I am thankful to the CTCE Kalika construction company for providing bulldozer in such a desperate situation.
I heard that Dharhara had fallen down and many people had died. Some were trapped under the debris. I ran there to rescue the trapped people but they didn't allow me in. So I returned home. I spent the whole night on the road near Ganesh Mandir of Kuleshwor. We kept vigil the whole night.
My family members feared for my life as I had been going to places to rescue people. It is natural to love and care for your family members but for me all living beings are my family. I am a young man and I have to support the needy as much as I can. I believe I was spared in this devastating quake because I was meant to help others; otherwise I too might have been under the rubble.
I want to request all youths of Nepal to do your best for the needy. The country needs you. You talk big at public gatherings but now you have to work. If you can't help financially at least lend physical and emotional support to the needy. Our youth is involved in damaging public and private properties during political campaigns. This time the nation needs rescue and aid. Earthquake survivors need tent, food, medicine and emotional support from you. Also, let us not create rumor of additional earthquakes. Let us not steal from and cheat the people.
I am thankful to foreign aid groups that have opened their tills for us. It is not the right time to criticize government, but rather to evaluate your own efforts in the aftermath of this disaster. Many people have lost family members, relatives, and their homes. Help them. Your small aid can make a big difference.
The author is a martial artist, meditation practitioner and sociologist
girithejorba@gmail.com
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