One evening, in late November this year, I received a message from a friend in Mumbai.
“Is the Mr. Gauri Shanker acknowledged in the series ‘The Railwaymen’ on Netflix your father?” I had not seen the series and did not know the context. When she elaborated that the series was based on the Bhopal Gas tragedy of 1984, I suddenly felt goosebumps all over.
“Yes, Yes! That is my father. He was there that night.”
‘Hey, in all these years you never told me. What a heroic thing to do!’ Her awestruck response brought back a host of memories, which had been long forgotten and buried in the passage of time.
I had just passed out of college in 1984 and was enrolled in LLB. Papa was posted in Mumbai as General Manager, Central Railway and I was staying in hostel in New Delhi. To be honest, I don’t recollect precisely when he told me about that night in Bhopal, but I remember him telling me about it.
He had said that he was on an inspection tour and had crossed Bhopal, and was on his way, when he was informed about the gas leak in Bhopal. He had decided to return to Bhopal in his GM Inspection saloon to oversee and guide relief operations. They had returned to Bhopal the same night the gas had leaked. While ensuring that no trains stopped at Bhopal that night, he also coordinated the arrival of necessary railway medical facilities from the vicinity stations into Bhopal. To minimize loss of life, he with his coworkers spent the night coordinating relief and rescue work. My mother had accompanied him on the inspection, and she was shuttered inside the saloon with doors and windows sealed. The two of them spent that fateful night at Bhopal station.
My recollection of my father’s narration ends there for me. Yet the impact of that night spent by them at Bhopal station was felt by our family for years. My father had been a man of robust health, boundless energy and enthusiasm. However, he developed heart problems within sometime after that night at Bhopal station. He underwent stent implanting twice and an eventual bypass surgery in 1997. My mother developed lifelong breathing problems after that night spent in a closed-up saloon on Bhopal Station. Their health took a nosedive post that December night in 1984. She died in 2004 at a mere 68 years of age, while our father passed away three years later in 2007 at 73. My parents never got confirmation that their health issues were an outcome of being exposed to the gas, but it was their and our (my sister and me) belief that it was the cause.
Maybe it was their ensuing health issues, but I did not muster the courage to see the show on Netflix. Despite the fact that every day I was getting glowing messages from people, including friends of my father, all railwaymen, who had watched it. Then last week, I asked my husband to sit down with me to watch it. And we watched the series in two sittings.
All my life I knew my father as a man of vision, of courage and someone who took decisions and implemented them. This was his trait in life and in work. His indomitable spirit often brought out the rebel in me, and consequently we fought often. Something I felt awful about for a long time after his death. I understood him better as I grew older, seeing, at times, many streaks and sparks of him emanating from me!
(Mr Gauri Shanker)
But I had never realized that my father was a hero. Someone who put his life on the line for what he considered was his duty to his workforce, and the passengers who he had undertaken to manage. How had he taken that fateful decision to reverse his saloon towards Bhopal? Despite knowing that there was a poisonous and lethal gas shrouding the city. Where did he find that reservoir of strength and sense of doing the right thing within him? It was incredible.
He was from a small village in Western UP, and self-made. In that dark foreboding night as the saloon had trundled back towards Bhopal what had he thought about? Did he wonder about his wife huddled with him in that space or his two daughters in different cities? The railways and his work had been his passion since he joined in 1954 as a civil engineer. Did he, even for a moment, doubt his decision to go? As he stopped onto Bhopal station, which must have been foreboding and eerie, did he feel a stab of fear?
And my mother. A graduate from Lucknow university, she was a strong willed and resilient woman, with her own views and opinions. What had she thought when she had been told about the U-turn that the saloon was taking? Had she tried to dissuade my father? Did she think about disembarking at some station in the middle for her own safety? And finally, when she made the decision to go along with him all the way, did she fear for herself? What had been her thoughts as she had sat alone, shuttered up in the saloon that fateful night?
But the young me, busy trying to find my own path in life, did not ask any of these questions at that time. Nor thereafter. I had never even thought about them. For me it had been a decision they had taken, which I remember believing shortened their lives.
All along, being their child, the import of that decision, and the heroic nature of it never struck me. It never dawned on me what that heroic action had meant for the railways as an institution, and for the railway workers and passengers. My sister too never saw the event in this light. Sometimes you need something as external and neutral as a dramatization of events in a series on an OTT platform to realize what your parents stood for. How in the stroke of one decision the canvas of many lives changed for the better.
I picture my father on the platform, guiding relief and rescue, and wonder how motivated and enthused all those working at the station must have felt. The senior most officer of their railway was with them, on the ground, to oversee the work, at great peril to himself and his wife. And I feel a lump rise in my throat. It is not a feeling of grief, but a deep and abiding sense of pride that moistens my eyes.
That night my father gave hope to everyone – his family, the railways, and all those who were saved.
themindprism - sadhna shanker 
Incredible personal account. Hats off!
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thanks
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It was indeed heroic and God has a special place for such people. Also You have written it in an amazing way ma’am. Hats off !
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thanks
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Great humanity service
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xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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xx
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Thank you
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I want to know your Instagram I’d.
Plz let me know
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Mrs Malti Shankar wrote a beautiful article in Saptahik Hindustan which was read by everyone in Bhopal and beyond. She mentions that the train carrying GM saloon was detained outside Bhopal during the night and her husband reached Bhopal the next morning.
This does not detract the competence and fearlessness of your father. There were rumours that the Chief Minister Mr Arjun Singh had fled Bhopal but state government officials were on duty. Mr Gauri Shankar had no ego problems. He coordinated his efforts with the district officials. More than two dozen railwaymen died. The injured remained on duty and received the GM on the platform in the morning.
Prof. N. C. Saxena, Bhopal
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A Beautifully written article, which moistened my eyes as well.
I can totally relate to your feelings, as my father was also a civil engineer in the Indian Railways. Even though he was not part of the heroic team of railway men during the Bhopal gas tragedy, he was always very dedicated and passionate about his work. He was posted in the J&K for quite a long time and has always prioritized his professional commitments far before his personal ones. But I think that is the kind of calling and motivation is provided to every individual who joins the Indian Railways. I can vouch for it too, being an Officer in the Railways my self.
More power to Indian Railways, more power to India.
Thank you for sharing.
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The railway bond is something else!
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Railwaymen are brave people indeed and have shown courage during wars. A guard was awarded Ashok Chakra. 26 railwaymen died on duty at the Bhopal station during the night of the gas tragedy saving hundreds of lives before the senior officers arrived in the morning.
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Thank you
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Thanks. The railway bond is eternal!
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Eversmiling pure heart Sri Krishna granted Shri Gaurishankar and my atmabandhu.
Hare Krishna bless u
Rajaram
Former MD Konkan Railway
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Thanks
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Hello ma’am
It is a commendable piece that you have written. I have just watched the Railway men series and was in awe of all those who helped thwart the disaster that night- the railway men, including Shri Gauri Shankar sir. May there be more guided by his indomitable spirit of service to the nation and its incredible people.
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Thank you
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Leading from the front Shri Gauri Shankar became a role model of selfless service and dedication to duty at the expense of putting not only his life to danger but that of his wife as well who was accompanying him in his saloon during the GM inspection on that dreadful night when the deadly gas leaked from the Union Carbide Plant in Bhopal putting a large number of population to eternal sleep and leaving behind innumerable persons to suffer it’s ill effects for rest of their life. Only a person of great courage and human values which Shri Gauri Shankar had would get his inspection saloon reversed and reach Bhopal to face the critical situation arising out of the leaking gas from Union Carbide Plant engulfing the whole of Bhopal. On arrival at Bhopal he immediately organised the relief arrangements with whatever little resources were at his command. He arranged for the medical relief trains from adjoining Divisions, coordinated with the Civil authorities available, arranged for medical assistance and kept the morale of the few Railway station staff not adversely affected by the dreadful gas leakage up till help and medical assistance was was received from adjoining Divisions.
It’s a pity that while the global CEO of Union Carbide was allowed to leave the country without facing criminal action, the then Govt. failed in it’s duty to recognize and appreciate the contribution of Shri Gauri Shankar in dealing with the deadly crisis at Bhopal station at great personal risk. Least the Govt. could have done was to honour him with PADMA BHUSHAN.
D.P.Tripathi, Retd. Secretary to Govt. of India.
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Thank you Sir. Grateful
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Dear Sadhna,
I had the privilege of working under your dad when I was Additional Divisional Railway Manager (Operations) at Bhusaval Division,Central Railway.
He ordered a special train with medical supplies to be run from Bhusaval to Bhopal.I was in charge of the train. We were stopped at Itarsi as your dad had everything under control at Bhopal.I had to do the mopping up at Itarsi.
Shri Gauri Shanker left his mark of excellence wherever he worked.As the Executive Engineer (Locomotive Component Works) Varanasi-later Diesel Locomotive Works,he ensured that the railway quarters had boundary walls thereby giving the occupant a sense of belonging.Every house had fruit trees-guavas,jackfruit,mangoes,bananas,lime etc.We used to grow our own paddy and wheat.
The club,parks,sports facilities,shopping complex and cinema hall in DLW were the envy of the locals.
As GM/CRLy he completely cut out red tape.Even a lowly placed employee could approach him directly.
I am sorry to say that he did not get what he deserved.A well merited promotion to the apex post was denied to him by the powers that be.
Thank you for the moving article.
God Bless You.
Venkateswaran Anand
(Retired GM Southern Railway)
Bangalore
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Thank you Sir. Feel overwhelmed,
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Gauri Shankar and I were together in the Railway Board and remember him with a lot of fondness the time spent together.
Mahesh Kapoor
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Thank you
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Good evening mam, I watched the Railway Men on OTT 4 days back and I found the entire story so inspiring and motivating to watch the entire episode of Bhopal Gas tragedy ,without even knowing that he was your dad. Maam, your dad was too inspiring to all of us in and out of Bureaucracy. My king size salute to him and your entire family. May his soul rest in peace. last but not the least. After knowing that he was your dad. I feel so proud that I have worked under your good self and have learned, many things about teamwork and leadership qualities, you are so inspiring to all the young generations in all these years and will remain so in future too. My sincere regards to your good self and Sir.
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Grateful Negi ji
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Beautiful piece of writing. I had read about him and his story of valour and courage before watching “The Railway Men”. As a real life hero the contributions he made to society is unmatched.
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Thanks you
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Dear Mrs Sadhna Shanker,
This is really a Tragedy leaving 36,000 dead in a year. 4 employees of our hotel were found dead . I visited UCIL later to see aftermath on my official tour to Halali.
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Tragic and heartbreaking
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I was the one stayed in Hotel Ranjeet near Bhopal Junction on a company job on 2nd Dec night. Luckily we 6 were saved. I still shiver on this day.
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Glad to know
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I can’t ever forget the watery eyes Baba Dadi had whenever I met them. Little did I know it was one of the long lasting damage they took as a result of the poisonous gas they inhaled that night. We are all so proud of him and more so Dadi who stood by her husband even knowing that she is harm’s way.
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Now that you point out yes they did have watery eyes. So many things about our parents we miss out on……
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The real story of a brave forgotten man who endangered his and his wife’s life to save thousands from the imminent risk of life and disability
My heartiest humble tributes to the great soul and I feel he should be duly given the honour he earnestly deserves
Due respect to his family and the team who have brought out the brave work of the noble soul and his dedicated railway men
With regards
RK Saldi
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Thank you
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I hold Gauri Shanker, my class fellow and friend, in high esteem for being very affectionate, sincere and unassuming. He topped the class each year but he had no airs about it.
Though we worked on different organisations, Providence helped us to maintain our contact. I remember that he did make a passing reference to his presence at Bhopal railway station on that fateful evening but, like Sadhna, I did not dig deep in the event.
There is much to learn from Gauri.
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Thank you Uncle. Papa was always very fond of you.
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Dear Sadhna Didi,
The series was an eye opener given that we met uncle and aunty several times post the incident and they took care of mummy while they were in Mumbai to navigate life post papas demise.
They never talked about the fateful night, I wish we were old enough to get the first hand account of the tragedy and how they steered through it. Truly proud of them. Loads of ❤️. Amitabh Saksena
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Thanks Amitabh
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Thank you
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Er Gauri Shankar was my boss, as GM/ NE Railway. A brilliant Engineer Administrator and above all, a great human being, always ready to help. A dead honest and work alcoholic, dedicated fully for the Railways. He had excellent memory.
नमन एवम श्रद्धांजलि।
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True, he remembered names and faces for eternity. Thanks.
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Goosebumps indeed….Mam, your father’s courage, commitment and sense of unspoken service is unparalleled.
Salute to your parents
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Grateful
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Kudos to your fathers for serving our country. He was a hero in my eyes. A story untold until you shared your thoughts and feelings. I saw this movie 2 weeks ago on netflix. My heart suffered watching the details although I dont recall any relatives of mine in bhopal. Thanks for sharing! May your parents rest in peace.
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Thank you Purnima ji.
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No words to praise your Father’s godly behaviours. 🙏
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Thank you.
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Watched the series atleast 50 times from january till date.. I was searching for the real life accounts of all the commendable people who were present onsite during that fateful night.. Most importantly the heroic work of your dear Father was a exceptional for the railway men.. I am soo glad you shared this article so I could know about the fact that your Mom was there too with him.. truly heroic.. I am just a bit sad as they did not use your Father’s real name obviosly for cinematic perposes.. but yeah later in the end his name was shown as well as few key people’s names as well.. It will always be somewhere in my heart.. A lot of respect for your Father as well as The Indian Railways..
Regards,
Anindya Mukherjee
Wipro Technologies
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Thank you again
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