The small mining town of Taplejung in eastern Nepal had struck a chord of relief when 41 trapped miners were rescued after being stranded in a rat hole tunnel for 48 days. But when the world praised these heroic miners, very few would have been aware of their Indian counterparts – The Rat Hole Miners, who braved all odds and ventured into the darkness of the Himalayas after hearing news of their Nepalese counterparts.
Travelling all the way from the state of Meghalaya in India and with the support of the Indian Army, they were to search for the trapped miners in a heroic attempt to save them. These miners located several thousand kilometers away from their homes, used their knowledge and experience in mining and ventured into a 70-meter deep pit trying to locate the trapped miners. Most of these miners who made the brave decision were barely literate and yet had the courage to put their lives on the line in support of humanity.
Although the families of these miners were in discomfort as their husbands, fathers and brothers had ventured away into the unknown, the presence of the Indian Army provided support and relief of sorts. Using their vast experience in rat hole mining the miners were able to locate the trapped miners and with the assistance of the army, they were finally rescued. Despite all their efforts, these brave and courageous miners went back to India to little or no fanfare and often anonymity while the praise deservedly poured on their Nepali counterparts.
The bravery and gallantry shown by the miners should not go unrecognized. A pleased Chief of Army Staff of India General Manoj Mukund Naravane praised these brave miners on the day of rescue and they should be celebrated as much as their Nepali counterparts.
The bravery and courage shown by the Rat hole Miners in saving the 41 trapped men will forever remain etched in the memories of those 41 miners who were brought back to safety, but no one will remember their effort and that’s why we must celebrate their courage for their acts of valour.
It is necessary for us to remember that a human life, regardless of the country, color, and creed, is of utmost importance and these Rat Hole Miners have without a doubt reminded us that humanity comes before anything else.