Train Tragedy Survivor Gautam Aspires Rebuilding his Life
<p>Despite severe injuries caused by the train accident, including the loss of his left leg, Gautam Kumar, a 17-year-old from Rasonk village in Bihar, remains determined to rebuild his life and continue his education.</p>
<p>Gautam was being treated at Cuttack’s SCB Medical College and Hospital, supported by his mother Nirmala and brother Vikash. Despite a head injury, Gautam occasionally smiles, recalling dancing at his brother’s wedding just days before boarding the train to Chennai.</p>
<p>He had excelled in his exams and planned to move to Patna in September 2023 for coaching. To support himself, Gautam intended to work as a daily wage laborer, saving money while exploring Chennai on his days off before starting his studies.</p>
<p>Gautam and fellow villagers boarded the crowded general compartment of the Coromandel Express. With no seats, they stood by the door, enjoying the journey’s pace. A week later, Gautam woke up in a hospital bed, his left leg amputated. When asked about his future, he confidently told Kahnu Behura, a lead volunteer with CYSD, “I may not pursue science, but I will study for sure.”</p>