Wikipedia entry on the incident Quote:
Originally Posted by NPV What device did you finally get for him ?
If/when you find time do try to share more about the scary experience your dad went through. |
We bought Galaxy watch active 2 for him.
Note to mods- please move this post to appropriate thread as I am sure it does not fit here.
Before I start, allow me to provide brief background about the characters involved.
I am adhering higher studies in Ahmedabad, live in rented flat.
My parents live in Bharuch.
Dad [Mr. Harish] is serving in state government. Mom is though active in teaching and charity, mostly housewife. My sister is complying medical studies in Vadodara.
Law officer and Dad’s colleague. She was from Navsari.
12th February, around 00:15 - Plane carrying my dad and his colleague was grounded at Delhi airport where driver was already waiting for them. Driver knew my dad as he has to make 2-3 visits to Delhi every month as part of his job. On the way to Hotel, their car met with at least 3 roads blocked by corporation workers as they were doing some maintenance work so they had to take longer routes and it took almost an hour to reach the hotel.
It was already very late, dad called mom and instead of calling me, he dropped a text message “reached, flight was late” which was our “regular” practice whenever he goes outstation.
HOTEL ARPIT PALACE,
Their check-in time – 12th February 1.40 AM.
My dad’s room number - 405
Dad's colleague’s room number – 403
While reaching to rooms, they found that room no-403 was in far corner and my dad's colleague was not happy with that so she asked the waiter (who was opening the room) if there was any other room available, to which waiter denied and told that entire hotel is booked by a family who came there for wedding ceremony, my dad offered his room (405) to her and told that he would be fine with room 403 - amidst that discussion waiter opened the room and it was good so she told dad that she would fine there (403) as it was just a matter of one day. She was about to be back next evening while my dad had to stay for 4 days.
While in dad’s room, waiter came with room heater as it was chilling cold in Delhi but dad is always sceptical about room heaters and never liked them, so he told waiter to take it back to which waiter replied that heater is all safe and would turn off automatically and placed it near wall which my dad objected and told to place it in middle of the room - away from wall, to which waiter obliged.
Note- Following talks were in Gujarati, I am leveraging my poor translation skill to preserve as much originality as I could. Please pardon me if I fail to follow correct syntax and request all to re-imagine the talk in your mother tongue to better understand the situation and thought process.
TIME- 4:29 AM, I was in my quilt enjoying heavenly winter sleep when my phone rang. I don’t know how but I picked it up almost instantly,
Me- Hello, jsk (religious phrase we normally use while initiating/ending the call).
Dad- (with calm voice) Rushi (my nickname), listen. I am in hotel Arpit Palace. 405 room number. There is a fire in hotel.
Me- (blank) Pappa, where are you now?
Dad- I am here standing in room near window.
Me- (trying to manage my composure) Has fire brigade reached?
Dad- Can’t see anything, people are shouting from outside but have not yet heard any siren. Maybe No they are not here.
Me- (still blank) Are you ok?
Dad- (silence for around 2 seconds) I am not safe.
Me- Pappa, please stay calm, don’t panic. (Maybe I was telling to myself)
Dad- Son, don’t worry. I try my best.
Me- Please call me as soon as they rescue you. Please remain conscious.
Dad- Ha.
Me- which hotel?
Dad- Arpit palace, room-405.
Me- Ok, JSK.
Dad- JSK.
I sat shocked and blank for about a minute than promptly started googling for guidelines about what to do in case of fire.
TIME- 4:43 AM, I called dad,
Me- (trying to remain normal) JSK, How is there?
Dad- (dull voice) No siren yet but shouting of people is getting louder.
Me- Its ok, can you manage to have water? Put wet cloth on your mouth.
Dad- (low voice and coughs in-between) I am already doing this, I wet my night dress with saliva and keep it on nose and mouth. But now situation is getting worse. Smokes from lower floors are coming into me. It is hard to breath.
( silence for 5-6 seconds )
Me- keep doing this, try to do as much as you can do.
Dad- Son, I think, I, I am not safe. Don’t call me again. Son, .................................................. ...........
(sorry, I can’t write that talk here, they best be remain between us)
Dad- Last night I left my wallet on nearby table, it must be there let me try ... oh, can’t, going inside not possible.
Me- It’s ok, it’s ok.
Dad- Don’t call me again.
Me- In case you are rescued, call me immediately. Stay calm, relax. Try as much as possible. Jsk.
Dad- hmm, Jsk.
That feeling when you are losing your loved one but you can’t do anything, that thoughts of being helpless, that thoughts of being defeated are worst, sorry I am short on words here.
I pray almighty God to never make anyone face such situation, it is very painful.
TIME- 5:11 AM
DAD’S CALL,
Dad- (with lot of shivering, I could feel it on phone) Rushi, I have been rescued. I am safe. I am safe now. I am still on ladder crane, it is being going down. I am safe.
Me- (started feeling myself as light as feather) ha, goood, ook. Are you injured?
Dad- No. Not at all.
Me- Awesome, well done. Now take time, take deep breaths and be relax.
Dad- Ha, but I shall now find my colleague first, I called her but her phone was switched off. I call you later. And don’t worry, I am safe now.
Me- ha, bye. JSK.
(I heard him telling firefighter about a single lady in 403 while disconnecting)
He was safe and that was all I wanted.