Saviour Hero Swapan Debbarma Awarded

Impoverished tribal ‘Jhumia’ (shifting cultivator) Swapan Debbarma who saved hundreds of lives from an inevitable train mishap on June 15 was given a standing ovation in the Tripura Legislative Assembly by members cutting across party lines . He had already been rewarded with a monetary award worth Rs 50 thousand from tribal welfare minister Mebar Kumar Jamatya. The assembly also passed a resolution on recommending his name for a president’s medal , as well as to give him a job in case the railway department failed to give the job.

It was one June 15 after two consecutive days of heavy monsoon downpour that Swapan Debbarma, accompanied by his little daughter Sumati, had gone out in search of bamboo shoot for eating. At Dhncherra area ahead of Ambassa station Swapan saw that because of slippage of earth beneath due to heavy rain, the railway track was just in a hanging position. Realising that the Agartala-bound train carrying hundreds of passengers would meet with a horrible accident and huge loss of lives, Swapan gave up his search and stood waiting there . When the train was a bit far Swapan and his daughter raised their hands as warning signal and started frantically shaking them along with his shirt. The driver of the train slowed down and then came to meet Swapan who showed the driver the condition of the track and what might be in store for them as well as all the passengers. The track was repaired immediately and the train left . But the news spread and Swapan’s courage and concern for lives was appreciated. 

He was given a cash award of Rs 50 thousand by the tribal welfare department and invited to the assembly gallery . As Swapan stood in the gallery with folded hands, the entire house burst with applause . It was zero hour and minister for health Sudip Roy Barman proposed that the state cabinet pass resolution giving Swapan financial award and this was supported by the BJP chief whip Kalyani Roy. The deputy speaker Biswabandhu Sen said that there are many awards given by the central government and the state cabinet may pass a resolution recommending Swapan’s name for an award.