The Railway Men is a dramatized rendering of the events that leading up to and (after) the Bhopal Gas tragedy. It depicts the sacrifices of some of the unsung heroes of the travesty as well. The show highlights the severity of the incident which has been lost on us over the years. It released on 18 November for streaming on Netflix.
In fact, the Chernobyl explosion in 1986 resulted in 31 immediate deaths, primarily due to acute radiation sickness and injuries caused by the explosion. On the other hand, the Bhopal gas leak in 1984 led to a much higher immediate death toll, with thousands of people succumbing to the toxic gases released from the Union Carbide pesticide plant. The casualties of 1984 were around 2200.
What actually happened in the Bhopal gas tragedy?
On the night of December 3, 1984, in Bhopal, a tragedy unfolded when poisonous gas, including MIC, hydrogen cyanide, and phosgene, leaked from the Union Carbide factory. The station superintendent, H.S. Bhurvey, passed away, and his deputy, Ghulam Dastagir, took charge at Bhopal Junction. Despite confusion and lack of information about the gaseous vapours, Dastagir prioritized the safety of passengers and ordered an early departure for the Gorakhpur-Bombay Express.
As the gas spread, chaos ensued at the station and hospitals. Doctors struggled to identify the gas and provide appropriate treatment. The company, Union Carbide, initially downplayed the severity, causing delays in effective responses. The situation worsened due to conflicting information and inadequate medical understanding. Eventually, German toxicologist Max Daunderer arrived with sodium thiosulfate, proving effective in treating some patients.
The 1984 Bhopal Tragedy raised questions about the company’s negligence and government inaction despite prior warnings. Independent journalist Rajkumar Keswani had highlighted safety hazards in reports, emphasizing the crucial role of free media. The tragedy claimed many lives, and the confusion surrounding the gas type exacerbated the consequences. Ghulam Dastagir, despite saving others, spent the last years of his life in the hospital and passed away in 2003. The incident underscored the importance of accountability, safety measures, and the role of media in preventing such disasters.
The Railway Men
The mini series released on Netflix on 18 November and has created significant talk around it since then. The critic reviews of the series have also been quite favourable. Moreover, the cast of the show is star studded featuring R. Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, Babil Khan, Divyendu and more.
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