The Hindu : New Delhi News : It was sheer luck that saved the DTC driver

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Thursday, Nov 03, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

It was sheer luck that saved the DTC driver

Staff Reporter

He tried to hurl the bomb out of bus, now recovering at AIIMS

NEW DELHI: It was a troubled Diwali for Kuldeep Singh, driver of the Delhi Transport Corporation bus in which the second of the three blasts in the capital took place on Saturday.

Kuldeep has suffered extensive injuries on his limbs, back, eyes and eardrums and was admitted to the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). On Tuesday, his family spend a restless Diwali on the seventh floor corridor near ward D-7 where he is admitted. Continuing their vigil outside his ward, Kuldeep's family believes that it was sheer luck that saved him. They now hope that he would get better soon to hold his first-born.

"Kuldeep is awaiting the birth of his first child. While his eight-month pregnant wife has taken the news bravely she has been praying for him to get well soon. The DTC has also asked its conductors to visit and take care of Kuldeep's needs at the hospital in three different shifts. He is one of us and we are proud that we can stand by him in his hour of need,'' said DTC conductor Ramesh Chand who was taking his turn at the hospital on Wednesday evening.

Doctors treating Kuldeep explained that this brave driver — who tried to hurl the bomb out of the bus after the conductor pointed to the unclaimed luggage — will need extensive physiotherapy and that there was a good chance of sight being restored in one eye.

Kuldeep, a resident of Mohan Nagar who has been employed under the kilometre scheme of the DTC, lost two fingers of his right hand, but doctors are confident that he will be able to lead a relatively normal life after recovery.

Advani's visit

Bharatiya Janata Party president L.K. Advani visited Kuldeep in hospital on Wednesday and assured him all possible assistance.

"Mr. Advani told him [Kuldeep] that the party would be in constant touch with him and render all possible assistance,'' said Delhi BJP president Harsh Vardhan, who accompanied Mr. Advani. They also met others injured in the blasts admitted to the hospital.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dixit visited Kuldeep's house on Wednesday and met his wife and assured her all possible help. She also handed over a cheque for Rs. 20,000 for the immediate medical expenses of Kuldeep and promised medical assistance at the Deen Dayal Upadhyay Hospital in Hari Nagar for his wife.

The Delhi Government has also decided to regularise the service of Kuldeep and give out-of-turn promotion to DTC conductor Budh Prakash for displaying exemplary alertness and courage.

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