As the 41 workers have finally been rescued from the tunnel in Uttarakhand, there are many tales and stories coming out from their 17 days of survival inside the tunnel, which was nothing than an underground prison.

The circumstance inside the tunnel guaranteed to test the resolve of most and which called for a strong leader to help the men stay calm. That figure was Gabbar Singh Negi - who was born 260 km away in Pauri Garhwal district and had the unfortunate distinction of been in three collapsed tunnels.

Over the 400+ hours the men spent buried - nearly 200 feet in the ground - Mr Negi taught his colleagues yoga and meditation, ensured they stayed physically and mentally active, and underlined his commitment to their safety by telling them he would be the last to be rescued.

"I am very happy... the family is very happy. Not just the family but the whole country... the whole country prayed for them. When they came out and we saw they were safe, we distributed sweets and garlands," Jaymal Negi, who has been at the tunnel collapse site for two weeks, told NDTV.

"'I am senior-most... I will be the last to come out...', this is what he told me," a smiling and visibly relieved Jaymal Singh Negi, his brother, told NDTV Wednesday morning, hours after all 41 men were extracted and given extensive medical check-ups to ensure they had suffered no injuries.

That all 41 survived the disaster with few injuries, and emerged with big smiles, is due, in no small part, to the effort of Gabbar Negi in keeping a potentially catastrophic situation under control.

"I am very happy... the family is very happy. Not just the family but the whole country... the whole country prayed for them. When they came out and we saw they were safe, we distributed sweets and garlands," Jaymal Negi, who has been at the tunnel collapse site for two weeks, told NDTV.

To read his full interview

https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/uttarkashi-tunnel-rescue-live-uttarakhand-tunnel-rescue-silkyara-gabbar-singh-negi-i-am-senior-will-be-last-rescued-tunnel-worker-gabbar-singhs-brave-4616481