#Dharwadians_Win_Hearts_During_Times_of_Distress_and_Disaster #Dharwad_Building_Collapse #Dharwad_Rescue_Operations People Rescued - 64 Precious Lives lost - 19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- "Dharwadians are #Rich_By_Heart and #Hardworking. In my 36+ years of service I have never experienced such Big Heartedness, selflessness, empathy, unity, care and concern. I have served throughout India and Dharwadians have displayed great #valour and #unconditional_care beyond anyone's imagination. They have shown the world what it means to stand by each other during times of distress. I have never seen such dedication. Hats off to everyone who's been a part of this marvellous service. Dharwad and it's loving citizens will always occupy a very special place in my Heart" - #Mr_J_H_Ravishankar , #Karnataka's #Chief_Fire_Officer ( The Officer who led the operation from the front ) It's not just the Chief Fire Officer who shared his feelings and thoughts with me but also the other officers from NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Department, BSF and other departments. They were moved and were speechless by what they experienced in Dharwad and thanked everybody who's been a part of this. They personally came and expressed their heartfelt gratitude. Some with tears of joy for the love that they recieved and took photos, videos and interviews. In one of the worst man made disasters Dharwad has ever faced we experienced mixed feelings. It was a tough testing period for all of us as we lost 19 fellow Dharwadians, however at the same time it was a joyous moment to watch 64 people being saved from the jaws of death. It was also a great learning for all of us as we stood together bravely day and night with several citizens doing our bit towards providing facilities and services with District Administration, HDMC, NGOs, Organisations and other individuals. I would like to extend my gratitude towards Nayana Ks ma'am, #Saroja_Pujar ma'am and #Santosh_Myageri sir from #HDMC for having given us an opportunity to serve our heroes. Let us make sure that such incidents don't occur with stringent laws and it's strict enforcement, regular quality monitoring and testing and other required steps to make our structures safe and strong. Let us also applaud everyone who's been a part of this 7 day rescue operations and have set an example to the world on how no matter what comes our way, we stand united at Dharwad! I would like to thank everyone who's been a part of this. Special thanks to my Dharwad Bonds friends Ajit Kashikar sir and Ashwini Kashikar who arranged sponsorship for a day's meal within minutes through their friend #Mr_Vadiraj_Katti. His other friends #Mr_Rajendra_Kulkarni, #Mr_Sunil_Kulkarni, #Mr_Narasimha_Bhat, #Mr_Dinesh_Shetty and #Mr_Maltesh_Kulkarni from different countries also extended their support, Bilquees Banu Rafai ma'am and her family who sponsored a few dishes, #Girish Yalakkishettar who sponsored 20 kgs of Rice with Nayan Girish and Tarun, Nikita Mishra and Namrata Mishra who sponsored pedhas for everyone, Vijaya Kulkarni for her great support till 3 am, Sharayu Mishra and Anand Nayak for sponsoring vegetarian items for one of the meals, Sujay Kumar for his selfless service till 3 am and for sponsoring one of the dishes, #Rama and #Praveen_Kowtal with their son who sponsored chapathis and a vegetarian dish, the ever helpful Dr. Mahendra Kaulgud, Sunita Hiremath, Kiran Hiremath sir, Veeresh Kelgeri sir, #Shanti_Tikare ma'am, Praveen Deshpande and all the others who spent hours with love and commitment sometimes even till 3 am. Through my NGO #Evolve_Lives_Foundation it was an honour for me to sponsor one of the meals for our heroes and saviours. With your constant support we could instantly arrange for healthy nutritious food, fruits and refreshments for citizens and 1000s of officers so that they can recieve the energy required to save lives! A Big Salute to everyone! You guys are an inspiration! I would also like to thank #Deshpande_Foundation, #LEAD's Karnataka head Dynamic #Abhinandan and his young team and #Akshaypatra for sponsoring one of the meals, young and Big hearted Vijay Sai who contributed with his friends one of the dishes and the others for their support and contributions. Proud of Everyone! Let anything happen we stand Strong and United at Dharwad! #Proud_Dharwadian