Avik Roy
Bhubaneswar, April 27: They were smiling at last, but that smile was bordered by anxiety which was writ large on their faces. It was as if Janaki Murmu, Shanti Murmu, Bannya Kabiraj and Eva Panna – the four Orissa girls who were members of the India under-14 eves football team – were still unable to get over the nightmare of the earthquake which hit them in Kathmandu.
The four returned here Monday afternoon and were accorded a grand welcome back by their parents and schoolmates. Some sports organisations also felicitated with them flower bouquets.
“Me and my friends were in the field when we felt the tremor. It was so huge. We all got huddled in the middle of the field. The tremors continued and we could hear sounds of buildings crashing,” narrated Shanti. “It was frightful… spine-chilling.”
It was not once that they had to withstand the tremors. It happened many more times and every time it occurred it sent shivers of chill down the spines of these kids. “After we returned to the hotel in the evening and settled down, we were very apprehensive. Another massive tremor shook us up when we were in our rooms,” stated Eva. “We rushed out immediately. We were apprehensive that the hotel would also collapse and we would lose all our belongings. Thankfully that did not happen.”
The girls however, stated that officials of the Nepal Football Association and the hotel staff looked after them very well. Food and water were not a problem as it was provided in sufficient quantity. “It was really scary. It was evening. But Shradhanjali Madam (assistant coach) looked after us very well and was constantly comforting us,” informed Eva.
The after-effects of the quake made communication a problem. “Madam was trying to call officials in India but was not getting through. We were also not being able to communicate at our homes,” informed Bannya. “That made us very tense. Finally a little before midnight a call came from the AIFF. It was a huge relief for us,” she added.
But till then, each one of them lived in the fear of death. “So many human bodies… all strewn across the roads… frightening indeed,” said Bannya. “I was thinking whether I would be able to go back home again, see my loved and dear ones. I thought, I would also die,” stated Eva as her face once more encompassed the scary feeling that she had experienced a few hours back.
“I was just thinking about my mother, my family and my friends. They have supported me very much. I owe all my success to them. And the first thought that came to mind when I saw so many lifeless bodies, was whether I would be able to see them again. Thank God we are back home safe,” signed off Janaki.
