Twenty-year-old Sanjay Sah, trapped in a tunnel in Nepal for nine days, was rescued safely on Friday. Despite the darkness, without light, and with no way out, Sanjay remained resolute. He said he continuously chanted the "Hare Krishna" mantra throughout these nine days. Coincidentally, the Friday he was rescued was also Krishna Janmashtami.

Sanjay, a resident of Saptari district in Nepal's Madhesh province, works as a foreman at the Nepal Electricity Authority. At the time of the accident, he was stationed in the tunnel's control room and was responsible for evacuating those inside. As soon as the accident occurred, he called for other employees to evacuate. Many people managed to escape, but while trying to rescue others, Sanjay himself could not escape in time and became trapped in the tunnel.

During his nine days in the tunnel, Sanjay maintained voice contact with some people. He told the rescue team that he was aware of three or four people nearby. He also expressed the fear that some people might be trapped further inside the tunnel. According to Sanjay, the strong floodwaters may have swept some people deep inside the tunnel during the accident. Keeping this possibility in mind, the rescue team is also searching the interior of the tunnel.

Sanjay's condition is reported to be stable after being rescued. He was taken to the local hospital in Trishuli for first aid. 45-year-old Kabir Maharjan was also rescued safely with him, but due to his health condition, he was airlifted to the Nepal Army Hospital, Chauni, in Kathmandu for better treatment.

The rescue operation by security forces, led by the Nepal Army, is continuing. Special equipment is being used to search for other people trapped inside the tunnel. Following Sanjay's information, special attention is being paid to those parts of the tunnel where other people are suspected to be trapped.

For Sanjay, these nine days were not only about enduring hardships, but also about maintaining faith and hope. In the dark tunnel, he continuously chanted the mantra "Hare Krishna," maintaining hope for a way out. Most importantly, when he breathed fresh air nine days later, the entire country was celebrating Krishna Janmashtami. This coincidence makes his story of safe escape even more special.