Putting aside personal tragedy, when Army Subedar Jinosh Jayan jumped into rescue ops in Wayanad
A resident of Chooralmala village in Kerala’s Wayanad, Subedar Jinosh Jayan lost four of his family members in the landslide tragedy. But that did not deter him from joining the rescue workers
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While his uncle, cousin, cousin’s wife and their 15-year-old son died, Jayan’s parents had a miraculous escape next door as they moved to a higher location. Subedar Jinosh Jayan was shocked when he learnt that a massive landslide had hit his village, Chooralmala, in Kerala’s Wayanad district on July 30. Posted with the 321 Medium Regiment of Artillery in Maharashtra’s Aurangabad, he rushed to his village on emergency leave only to learn that his uncle’s entire family had died.
While his uncle, cousin, cousin’s wife and their 15-year-old son died, Jayan’s parents had a miraculous escape next door as they moved to a higher location.
Upon reaching his village, Jayan was devastated but realising the magnitude of the tragedy – the landslides killed more than 200 people with hundreds still missing – he immediately joined the rescue teams deployed at the location. “Three bodies of my relatives have been recovered while one is missing. I received the remains, cremated them and then put on my uniform and joined the rescue efforts,” Jayan said, speaking to The Indian Express over the phone from Chooralmala.
Jayan reported to the commanding officer of the first Army column which reached for rescue operations.
Being a local, he was of immense help to the Army rescue teams as well as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams as he could help acquaint them with the terrain and layout of the area.
Jayan reported to the commanding officer of the first Army column which reached for rescue operations. “I reported to the CO of 23 Maratha Light Infantry and told him that I was a local and could help them get acquainted with the layout of the affected area,” he said.
Being a surveyor by his trade qualification in the Army and also a local, he prepared handmade maps that were of tremendous help to the rescue teams. “I prepared before and after descriptions of the zones which had been hit by the landslides. I also made similar sketches for the NDRF teams and this helped them till they received the latest satellite imagery,” he said.
Though technically still on leave, Jayan continues to be part of the rescue teams still operating in the area. He was initially sanctioned 15 days of leave and was then granted 30 days more leave by his Commanding Officer Colonel C Sandeep.
The local inspector-general of police coordinating the rescue operations has made him a part of his team, Army authorities said. He is also leading relief columns in remote areas that he is familiar with as a local. Jayan’s Army training in interpreting satellite imagery is also of help while guiding rescue teams.
Jayan, who has received appreciation from senior Army officers involved in the relief effort, was also felicitated by M R Ajith Kumar, Kerala Additional Director General of Police, and M R Sethu Raman, Inspector General of Police.
“It does not matter to a soldier whether he is on leave or duty. He has to respond to such situations 365 days a year. Anyone in my place would have done the same. Yes, I have not been able to deal with my family satisfactorily but I told my wife that she should think that I am away in my regiment on duty,” he said.
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