Amritsar Train Mishap: ‘Ravana’ died while saving People

ONI Bureau: At least 61 people lost their lives when a speeding train ran over them while they were watching the ‘Ravan Dahan’ standing on the railway tracks at Joda Phatak in Amritsar, Punjab. The entire nation went into mourning as soon as the news was flashed. Another sad and unfortunate as well as emotional angle to the tragedy has emerged now.

A man Dalbir Singh, who played the character of ‘Ravana’ at the Ramleela festival at the same venue, was about to leave for his home after the play was over. However, he noticed the speeding train from a distance and shouted and waved at the crowd to move away. However, due to the deafening noise of fire crackers, nobody paid attention to him.

Dalbir then rushed to save the people who were standing on the tracks unaware of the disaster that was going to happen. He managed to push 7/8 people off the tracks, as revealed by the eye-witness. However, he could not save himself. While saving the people, his legs came under the speeding train and he lost his life.

Dalbir, who owned a small shop, was the only bread earner in his family. He is survived by mother, young wife, an infant and brother. He had been playing different roles in Ramleela for over a decade. His family is at loss of words after the tragedy. Dalbir Singh’s mother has appealed the Punjab Government to give a job to her daughter-in-law.