Probably the most anxious moment for parents is when they realise their child is not safe. As the hours tick by, the desperation of families keeps mounting. In a similar plight, a family in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district is spending sleepless nights, worrying about the safety of their child – a 20-year-old young man (Vishal) who is one of the 41 workers trapped in the under-construction road tunnel that had collapsed in Uttarkashi (in Uttarakhand) on November 12. As no news is good news, the family is hoping for his safe rescue, even though they are getting increasingly panicky about the condition of Vishal inside the dark tunnel. His father (Dharam Singh) and elder brother (Yogesh) who have been at the mouth of the cave since November 13 are keeping their fingers crossed. Not just Vishal's family, members of nearly 200 houses of Bagot village in Balh constituency of Mandi district are praying for his safe return. “The tragedy happened on Diwali. The news had spread like wildfire in the village. The villagers didn't celebrate Diwali. His father and elder brother had left for Uttarkashi on November 13 morning and haven't returned till date. Villagers are equally worried, so are the family members,” said Devinder Sharma, a resident of Bagot, while talking to The Indian Express. Vishal's mother (Urmila), who is in her mid-40s, is inconsolable as the villagers and relatives visit her daily to comfort her who has hardly eaten anything since the tragedy, he added. Vishal had joined this construction company about five months ago. His elder brother (Yogesh) in his mid-20s also works with the same firm. Luckily, Yogesh had come home to celebrate Diwali, while Vishal stayed back as he had taken a break and come home before the festival. “This was his new job, he wanted to focus on work and so, he preferred to be at work than with the family this Diwali. But who knew that something else was in store for him,” Devinder Sharma added. The Indian Express also spoke to Vishal's mother who is praying most of the time. Urmila said, “I appeal to the authorities to expedite the rescue work. Like us, other families are also equally anxious.” Paramdev, uncle of Vishal, told The Indian Express, “Once Dharam Singh (father) and Yogesh (brother) spoke to Vishal over the phone and he told them that he was fine inside the caved-in tunnel amid the rubble. But for the past four days there has been no communication. We all are very stressed.” Thakri Devi, pradhan (village head) of gram panchayat Bagot, and other panchayat members regularly visit the family to enquire about their well-being. The family has a small farm land and they rear goats for a living. Rest they are dependent on the salary of both sons. “Father and brother of Vishal are in Uttarkashi, while his mother and grandmother are here in the village. Their eyes are anxiously glued to TV all the time to hear the good news. Almost 10 days have passed since the tragedy, but we are keeping our fingers crossed,” Devinder Sharma said, adding that “the whole village is praying, hope sustains life”. Speaking to The Indian Express, Mandi Deputy Commissioner (DC) Arindham Chaudhary said, “We are aware that one boy from our district is trapped in the tunnel. I am in constant touch with the DC of Uttarkashi. We stand shoulder to shoulder with the family of Vishal.”
