Villagers have planned to give a hero’s welcome to Mani Ram (43) on his arrival at his native Kareri village under Nalwani panchayat in the district.
Three workers, including Mani Ram (Mandi), Satish Tomar (Sirmaur) and Hriday Ram (Mandi), were trapped when a portion of an under-construction tunnel of the Kiratpur-Nerchowk fourlaning project at Tihra in Bilaspur district caved in around 8.30 pm on September 21.
However, Mani Ram and Satish Tomar were yesterday rescued, but Hriday Ram was still trapped.
“We are planning to celebrate Mani Ram’s arrival like Diwali,” said Shesh Ram Mandyal, a close friend of Mani Ram and Congress general secretary of the Seraj mandal in the district.
“We will bust crackers and distribute sweets,” he said, adding that his family members were not allowed to meet him and for a few more days, he would stay under the observations of doctors at Bilaspur. Mani Ram’s stepbrother Moti Ram was accompanying him in the hospital, he said.
Thousands of people from the areas prayed for the safe return of Mani Ram, he said, adding that they offered prayers to their family deity Shukdev Rishi and principal deity of the area Dev Kamrunag and Shikari Devi. Mani Ram’s son Dinesh Kumar (18) and daughter Dolma Devi (21) said the family would organise a community feast on his arrival to the village.
Dinesh, who has just completed his Class XII, said the family members relentlessly prayed for the safety of his father. Dolma, who had completed her Class XII two years ago, said they were eagerly waiting for her father’s arrival. Mani Ram’s wife Jaidaasi Devi works as a mid-day meal worker at Government Senior Secondary School at Satot in the district.
