- By Piyali Bhadra
- Fri, 06 Oct 2023 12:06 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Akshay Kumar is currently basking in the success of his recent release ‘OMG 2’ and is already set for his next venture ‘Mission Raniganj.’ The actor is known for opting his roles in his films precisely related to proud biopics or societal issues which promises to create a long lasting impression on the audience. ‘Mission Raniganj’ features Akshay Kumar and Parineeti Chopra in the lead roles, and is set to hit theatres on October 6. The film revolves around an incredible rescue mission of 1989, which shed light on the coal mine survival incident of Raniganj.
In this much-awaited biopic, Akshay Kumar will be essaying the role of Jaswant Singh Gill, a Senior Engineer who risked his own life to lead a daring rescue operation. Known as the ‘Capsule Gill’, who exactly was Jaswant Singh Gill, and what led him to prevent such a disastrous incident. One of the unsung heroes, he is indeed a figure deserving a special place in the history of India. Let’s know more about him.
Jaswant Singh Gill was the Additional Chief Mining Engineer of Coal India Limited. He was at the forefront of this rescue mission, which took place on November 13,1989. A daunting day etched in the memory of those who witnessed the incident which unfolded the incidents of the coal mine dig of Raniganj, West Bengal.
The group had 220 coal miners working to set up an explosion in the Mahabir Colliery to extract coal. Their efforts then took a daunting turn with the explosion triggering a seismic disturbance which reverberated the subsurface of the water table. The terrifying surge of water through the depth of the mine led to a mass evacuation in which six workers lost their lives, while 149 were pulled out.
However, 64 workers found themselves trapped in the midst of a crevice with a slight chance of survival. One miner also embarked on a 36-hour journey to reach a safety shaft. This whole mission was led by Jaswant Gill and was his effort which brought in the efforts of the others in a collective manner. He volunteered to enter the mine and opened the nearest exit capsule, passing a signal to the team above to initiate the capsule’s ascent. Having his life at risk, he saved several of his colleagues and became a hero in the history of India.
In 1991, he was honored with the prestigious Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, which is a recognition of selfless bravery. In 2016, he was also given the Bhagat Singh Puran award for service to humanity further celebrating his indomitable spirit. His Raniganj mission secured a place in the Limca Book of Records as a National record in the history of Coal Mining.
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Recently, the Union Minister for India’s Parliamentary Affairs, Coal, and Mines, Prahlad Joshi, also paid a tribute to Jaswant Singh Gill. His inspiring story will now be yours to witness, reminding us all of the extraordinary service he provided us in the face of adversity, standing as a strong beacon of hope.