Jaswant Singh Gill’s Heroic Feat: The Real-Life Inspiration For Akshay Kumar’s Character Saves 65 Miners

Akshay Kumar stars as Jaswant Singh Gill in "Mission Raniganj," depicting the heroics of the man who saved 65 miners with his innovative rescue capsule.

Written by: Shivani Kumari

Edited by: Krutarth Ghosalkar

Last Updated: October 04, 2023

Summary: In his upcoming movie "Mission Raniganj," Akshay Kumar is set to portray the role of mining expert Jaswant Singh Gill. We delve into the significance of Jaswant Singh Gill's legacy and his pivotal role in India's coal mining history.

Akshay Kumar, following "Mission Mangal" and "Kesari," stars in "Mission Raniganj: The Great Bharat Rescue" as mining expert Jaswant Singh Gill. The film sheds light on Gill's heroic rescue of 65 trapped miners in Raniganj, West Bengal. His act of valor earned him the 'Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak' from then-President Ramaswamy Venkataraman, making it a significant and celebrated event.

Born in Amritsar in 1940, Jaswant Singh Gill, a Khalsa College and Indian School of Mines alumnus, joined Coal India Limited in 1973 and rose through the ranks to retire as Engineer-in-chief in 1998. His most significant achievement was the daring rescue of 65 miners from a flooded coal mine at Mahabir Colliery in Raniganj, West Bengal, earning him the nickname "Capsule Gill."

On November 13, 1989, 232 miners were working the night shift in a 320-foot-deep mine when a flood struck at 4 am. While 161 miners near the lifts were rescued, 71 others farther away were trapped. Luckily, a phone line to the surface relayed that 65 miners found refuge on a rise within the pit, with six missing.

Upon learning about the trapped miners, authorities formed four rescue teams. Three teams attempted various methods, including submersible pumps, to lower the water level. However, water recirculated due to surface cracks. Meanwhile, oxygen levels in the mine decreased, posing a risk of collapse.

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Engineer Jaswant Gill, part of the fourth rescue team, innovatively designed a steel capsule to save the trapped miners. Constructed in just 72 hours, the capsule was used to extract all 65 men through a new borehole. Despite initial opposition, Gill personally led the rescue, entering the capsule himself. With a 12-tonne crane in action, the rescue time was cut down from 15 minutes to a mere 3 minutes, ensuring the successful rescue of all miners.

In Raniganj, Gill's six-hour rescue operation drew 20,000 spectators. His heroism led to 'Rescue Day' on November 16 by Coal India Ltd and a Limca Book of Records record. Gill received the 'Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak' from President Ramaswamy Venkataraman in 1991 and remained active in social welfare until his passing in 2019.