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The Rediff Interview/ Bharat Rungta, Patna air-crash survivor

'I can't explain how I survived...it must be God'

Over a month has passed since the Alliance Air flight CD-7412 crashed near Patna on July 17 claiming more than 60 lives. Yet, 25-year-old Bharat Rungta, one of the few survivors of the crash, hasn't yet recovered from the shock. While his parents attribute his escape from the jaws of death to the Almighty's kindness, Bharat himself is quite baffled. By his own admission, he has not been able to figure out what was it that saved him.

After Bharat was brought to Calcutta, his family shielded him from the media. Repeated requests for an interview were turned down. However, after much persuasion, his elder brother Raghu Rungta agreed to let Rifat Jawaid of rediff.com speak to Bharat. His only condition was that the interview must be taken on August 17, when the family holds its annual 'Ma Mansha Puja.'

"That my brother is back with us, is a result of our years of prayer to Ma Mansha. This is the biggest ever wish of ours that Ma has granted," Raghu said.

Excerpts from the interview:

Bharat, let me first congratulate you for having emerged victorious in your encounter with death.

Thanks. Yes, I guess the well wishes of my parents, brother and other family members gave me that extra courage when I needed it most.

Tell us what happened on July 17?

Well, as you know I am posted at the ICICI's Bombay office as an assistant manager. I was asked to travel to Patna by my head office on July 17. But I decided to visit my family first and came to Calcutta. The night before I was to board the Patna-bound flight, I spent most of my time chatting with my family. Despite knowing that I had to catch the flight at 7 am the next day, we were all awake well past midnight.

By the time I went to bed it was around 2 am. I woke up at 5 in the morning and after a quick shower and breakfast, rushed to the airport, which is 10 minutes' drive from my Bangur Avenue residence.

Ajay [Kapoor, his colleague who died in the crash] was waiting at the airport. Both of us were given rear seats. Ajay took the window, while I got the middle seat. Since I had barely slept the previous night, I soon dozed off wrapped in the warmth of a blanket.

What made you put a blanket around you? Is this something you always do while on a flight?

Yes, it's a habit. I can't take the air-conditioning, I feel very cold.

When did you first realise that the plane was crashing?

I don't know. But when I woke up I heard everybody screaming. There was absolute pandemonium inside the plane. I could see the aircraft was plunging rapidly...I just couldn't figure out what was happening. I really can't recall what happened thereafter. I still don't know whether I fell unconscious or fell asleep (laughs).

When I regained senses, I was lying on a heap of debris engulfed in flames and screams of fellow passengers. The air was thick with black smoke. I managed to get away from the burning debris and mangled corpses without injuring myself. Suddenly, I saw Ajay crying for help nearby. I saw many people behind the wall of smoke...none of them looked inclined to risk their life. However, after a little hesitation, some of them jumped into the burning debris. Four of them carried Ajay. We then came to the main road. Luckily, I didn't require anybody's help and walked on my own. I felt a little pain in my ribcage, but thought it was a strained muscle. On the main road, we found an Airports Authority of India bus waiting. Seven of us boarded the bus, which took of us to the Patna Medical College and Hospital.

At the hospital, there was nobody to look after the victims, nobody to carry them on stretchers. I then went to the hospital superintendent, who expressed his ignorance about the tragedy. I asked him whether I could make a phone call to my family in Calcutta. He said the hospital phones didn't have STD facility. I then walked to a nearby STD call booth and called my Bombay office and family in Calcutta.

Ajay, by that time, had been taken to the emergency ward. I left only after doctors took Ajay to the emergency ward. What I didn't know then was that I would never see my friend again. When I came back to the hospital, I was shocked not to find Ajay in the emergency ward. Later doctors took me to the morgue where his body was lying along with other victims.

The scene was devastating. You don't know how frightened I was after learning that I had lost my colleague.

Yes, that can be scary...where did you muster so much courage from?

Well, now that I am alive, all I can say is that I used my brain...kept thinking and did not allow the fear to dominate me.

Like your parents and other family members, do you also think that your escape was a miracle?

Well I am not a very religious person. I do puja once in a while, that is about it...whenever I get time I bow my head before God. But I have never been very regular with my pujas. Especially in a city like Bombay, where the professional life is so demanding, you can't expect one to be too religious. But then, I can't explain how I survived...it must be God.

Were the Indian Airlines officials co-operative?

I would be doing a great injustice to the authorities if I say they didn't perform their duties well. All of them were very, very co-operative. They arranged for a special aircraft from Calcutta. Even the flight I was brought from Patna was specially arranged for carrying me and other bodies.

You must have flown Alliance Air in the past too. Were you ever worried about their safety standards?

No, never. You are perhaps asking the wrong person. I am good at assessing a company's financials, not their safety standards (laughs). No, on a serious note, you don't think of these things as long as you reach your destination safely.

Does the crash still haunt you?

Well, I had almost forgotten about it...your grilling has refreshed my memory. But I think I will have to live with these memories.

When are you resuming work?

Doctors have advised me a full rest. ICICI has granted me leave till I recover fully. They have also allowed me to work out of our Calcutta office till I am 100 per cent fit.

Will you travel in a plane again?

I don't think I have an option. Next time I travel to Bombay, I will have to take a flight.

The Rediff Interviews

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