Jagran Correspondent, East Delhi | Even though they struggle to make ends meet, their hands still hold the same passion for saving lives. These rat miners are ready to rescue people stranded in flood-ravaged Nepal if called upon.
The irony is that the same hands that played the role of heroes by saving 41 lives in the 2023 Silkyara tunnel collapse are today digging sewer pits in the streets of Delhi for a daily wage of Rs 700-800.
No Permanent Job Despite Getting Best Life Saving Medal
On August 5, they did receive the Best Life Saving Medal and an honorarium of Rs 2 lakh each, but despite this, they do not have any permanent source of income, and this truth seems to be outweighing their honour. These Rat Miners of East Delhi, who made the impossible possible by risking their lives in the Silkyara rescue operation, are today back to the same old struggle for life.
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The stench of sewers, the digging of pipelines, and uncertain wages are now the reality of their lives. Those whose courage once resonated across the country now have the sound of their hard work reduced to the sound of shovels while doing daily wage work.
What Rat Miners Said
Wakil Hasan, leader of the Rat Miners' team, said they hoped their bravery would lead to permanent employment or a government job, ensuring their families' futures. But the hope seems to be fading as time goes by.
Irshad Ansari stated that even today all of us are engaged in the same risky work, where there is a risk to life every day, and the earnings are also not certain. He and his colleagues work as daily wage labourers digging roads for sewer lines in Northeast Delhi and Loni. This has become their livelihood.
They said the demand for permanent employment was made during the award ceremony. The Rat Miners aren't very educated, so Anand Kansal from Pune came forward to support them. He's made uniforms and shoes for them. He is now the team's coordinator.
"We are ready even today. Wherever the need arises, whether it's Nepal or any corner of the country, we will go to save lives. But we have to struggle every day to make ends meet. The government should pay attention to this," said Nasruddin, a rat miner.
"We received respect, but our lives haven't changed. We want permanent jobs so that our children's futures can be secure. Instead, we dedicate our entire lives to our country. If we get the chance, we will rescue people from Nepal safely," said another rat miner, Devendra.
Anand said that the entire country saluted his courage during the Uttarakhand rescue operation. They also became a lifesaver during the tunnel accident in Telangana.
The government honoured his bravery, but when they received the Best Life Saving Medal on August 5, a demand was made to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to make arrangements for permanent employment for him.
The team is ready to go to the Nepal disaster, but neither the Indian government nor the Nepal government has granted permission. A response is still awaited.
Anand said that this story is not just about some labourers, but also about the truth that people who become heroes in times of crisis get lost in the crowd as time passes. After stepping down from the stage of honour, these heroes return to the same place where the price of their bravery is reduced to just a day's wages.
The Rat Miners team includes Hasan, Munna, Ankur Kumar, Monu Kumar, Devendra, Rashid, Firoz Qureshi, Jatin Kashyap, Saurabh Kashyap, Irshad Ansari, Nasruddin, and Naseem.
(With Jagran reporter Saurabh Pandey's inputs)