Jaswant Singh Gill

Jaswant Singh Gill (November 22, 1939 – November 26, 2019) was an Indian engineer known for his significant contributions to mining safety and his heroic efforts in coal mine rescue operations. This article provides an objective account of his life and achievements.

Early life and education

Gill was born in Sathiala, Amritsar, Punjab, India, on November 22, 1939. He pursued his early education at an Urdu School and later attended Khalsa College Public School in Amritsar, Punjab. In 1959, he obtained a BSc Non-Medical degree from Khalsa College, and his passion for mining engineering led him to enroll at the Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines) in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, where he graduated in 1965. In a remarkable display of determination, he also pursued a law degree at Khalsa College, an endeavor he continued until his passing in 2019.

Career

After completing his education, Gill embarked on a career in the mining industry. He began his professional journey at Karam Chand Thapar & Bros (Coal Sales) Ltd. However, his most significant contributions came during his tenure at Coal India Limited, where he joined as an engineer in 1972. Over the years, he rose through the ranks, eventually holding the position of Chief General Manager ED (Safety & Rescue) at Coal India Limited in Raniganj, West Bengal. His expertise in mining engineering and commitment to safety played a pivotal role in enhancing mining operations' safety standards.

Coal mine rescue operation (1989)

In 1989, Gill held the position of Chief General Manager ED (Safety & Rescue) at Coal India Limited in Raniganj, West Bengal. On November 13 the same year, a group of 220 coal miners were working at a coal mine in Raniganj, West Bengal where a series of blasts were being carried out to break the coal seam. Unfortunately, during these operations, an inadvertent contact with the upper seam of the mine triggered a sudden inflow of water into the mine shafts because of which 71 miners found themselves trapped deep within the borewell, while the rest were swiftly evacuated. As water began to flood the shafts, six coal miners tragically lost their lives.

Gill, arriving on the scene, made a resolute decision to spare no effort in saving the lives of those 65 miners. He conceived an ingenious plan to construct a steel capsule capable of evacuating one person at a time. A 22-inch diameter borehole was promptly drilled to facilitate the passage of this life-saving capsule. After two days of relentless work, the capsule was finally ready for deployment. Though he had initially briefed two rescue personnel, who abandoned their duties at the last moment.

Undaunted, Gill decided to carry out the rescue operation himself. He sought permission from the chairman and, on the 16th of November 1989, at around 2:30 am, he entered the capsule, descending into the perilous depths of the borewell to rescue the trapped miners and executed the rescue mission, successfully saving all 65 trapped miners.

Achievements and contributions

Gill played a significant role in the successful rescue of 14 miners trapped in a coal mine in East Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, following the 1989 incident.

In recognition of his bravery, Gill received numerous awards and honors. In 2008, he was appointed as a member of the Disaster Management Committee in Amritsar, Punjab, contributing to disaster preparedness and response efforts. Additionally, on April 26, 2018, he was appointed as the President of Rotary International, actively participating in various social service activities.

• 1991: Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak by the then President of India, Ramaswamy Venkataraman
• 2005: Limca Book of Record as national record holder for the most successful & largest rescue operation in mining history
• 2009: Lifetime Achievement Award for Mining by the Indian School of Mines Alumni Association (ISMAA), Delhi
• 2013: Lifetime Achievement Award and Rs 1 lakh by the then Union Minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal
• 2013: Swami Vivekanand Award of Excellence
• 2014: Outstanding Services to Humanity Award from Harman Educational & Social Welfare Society, Amritsar
• 2018: World Book of Record, London, UK, for Largest Coal Mine Rescue operation
• 2018: Indian Iconic Award by Real Flavours Media Group
• 2019: Pride of the Nation Award, Delhi
• 2019: Honorary Doctorate (PhD) by Universal Achievers University, Tamil Nadu

Other

• Vijay Rath National Award from IICM, Ranchi
• Excellence in Safety Award from Coal India Ltd, Calcutta
• Bhagat Puran Singh Award from Guru Arjun Dev Mandal, Patiala
• Farishta-E-Kaum Award from Sache Patshah Magazine, New Delhi

Death and legacy

In early 2019, He was invited as a guest speaker at the Punjabi talk show 'Josh Talks,' where he shared his experiences and insights.

Gill passed away on November 26, 2019, at his home in Amritsar, Punjab, India, due to cardiac arrest. To honor his memory, the Jaswant Singh Gill Memorial Industrial Safety Excellence Award was established. A chowk (intersection) on Majitha Road, Amritsar, was named after him. Furthermore, a memorial gate was erected in his honor at Kunustoria Area, Eastern Coalfield Limited, and a garden was dedicated to him in ECL West Bengal. His portrait was unveiled at the Sikh Museum in the Golden Temple on April 11, 2022.

In 2017, Indian director Tinu Desai approached Jaswant Singh Gill with the idea of a biopic based on his life. Unfortunately, Jaswant passed away in 2019 before this project could come to fruition.