Earthquake in the Himalayan nation, Nepal, shook people hundreds of kilometres away at Ranchi but the trauma for people right in the middle when nature was unleashing its devastating force could in no way be considered equal, given the large scale devastation that displaced many settled there and forced them to seek refuge in different parts of the country, including Ranchi.
Among the fortunate lot that survived nature’s fury and travelled from across the Himalayan country to safer destinations is a 32-year-old Kathmandu-based businessman, Prakash Poddar, his wife and three-year-old child who recount the harrowing tale of near death experiences of two days—April 25 and 26. Poddar who has roots in Ranchi somehow managed to survive the devastating seismic activity that wrecked havoc in the Nepalese capital.
“The tremor was so severe that we could not escape from our house, all steel cabinets and heavy furniture tumbled. It was a 46-second ordeal and we thought that we will not survive as the whole apartment in which we live was shaking. We were trembling with fear even after reaching Delhi,” said Poddar.
The businessman is still grappling to forget the nightmare borne out of mismanagement in the fledgling Himalayan democracy with absent compassion of the State for nearly two days. As the toll mounted with every layer of debris, Poddar and hundred others waited for a helping hand in the open ground of Trinity College in Kathmandu with hopes that washed away with every drop of rain on the fateful night of April 25.
“The open ground was the only shelter and as the rain hit all those who were standing at the ground huddle in a nearby camp setup by Baba Ramdev. No relief material was provided by the government and we had to depend on eatables that we could get our hands on while running for safety,” maintained Poddar.
The businessman is yet to assess the damage to his business as the only direction that he was allowed to head is back to his native place at Morhabadi, Ranchi. Roads in Kathmandu were blocked and movements were restricted even for businessmen of the garment market of New Road where Poddar ran his business for almost 10 years.
“There was so much of devastation that we could not reach to our outlets. I don’t know anything about my business and how much loss I have suffered. I don’t know what would have happened to my house since we left Kathmandu,” pointed out the quake victim.
Black marketing of essential items only added insult to the injuries of those who were displaced in the aftermath of the earthquake. Indian connection finally helped the Poddar family to sneak out of Nepal while the country was still feeling minor tremors. Family members at Ranchi continuously updated the part of the family stranded at Kathmandu and guided their way out.
“We were informed by our family members that Kathmandu airport is open and Indian government is running a relief and rescue operation. So we reached airport and from there we were lifted by Indian Air Force cargo. Getting out of Nepal would not have been possible without Indian government’s rescue work,” recollects Poddar.
Notwithstanding the escape from the epicenter of the quake, Poddar and family are yet to get over their fear. Although the businessman wants to go back because of exigencies of livelihood, he wants their family to stay safe at Ranchi where no loss to lives and property were reported while Nepal was counting the dead.
“I am will go back because my business is there. But I don’t have the courage to risk lives of my family members. I came to know from my sources that tremor was felt on Friday also,” said Poddar.