It is truly said that not all heroes wear capes and this railway motorman proved it right. Laxman Singh despite being attacked with chilli powder drove for 18 kilometres carrying more than 2000 commuters in a Mumbai local to avoid delay on February 16.
While Laxman Singh was on his way to Titwala station from Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, some unidentified attackers threw some powder which was later identified as chilli powder at the motorman’s cabin as it crossed Kalva station.
Despite severe burning sensation in his eyes, Singh kept driving because if he would have stopped it would have led to delay on the complete railway line.
Singh was later awarded by the Central Railway Divisional Railway Manager, Sanjay Jain with an appreciation certificate and a cash reward of Rs 1,000.
The incident occurred at 3:15 pm and when he reached the next station – Mumbra – some station officials met him and said that they did not have a replacement for him at the Mumbra station. So, he chose to pilot the train until the next station after washing his eyes.
He didn’t get a replacement till the Kalyan railway station at 4:12 PM after driving for 18 km. After reaching Kalyan station, he was relieved by railway officials and was taken to a nearby hospital. Doctors at the hospital said that he could have suffered permanent blindness and needs some days to recover fully.
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“The DRM Central Railways felicitated Singh for his exemplary service with a certificate and a cash prize. Also, the process of filing a police complaint against the miscreants has been initiated” said CPRO Central Railways Sunil Udasi.
Laxman Singh showed exemplary courage and dedication towards his work but it’s worth noting that this is not what he should have been made to go through. For one whole hour, no official could find a replacement for him and relieve him of his duty. Not only has he been under-rewarded, but his vision was also put at risk when he was not offered a replacement for an hour.
Article & Image Source: IndiaTimes
