In the Ramleela at Joda Phatak in Amritsar where the train tragedy took place on Dussehra the actor Dalbir Singh who played the role of Ravana proved himself to be a Ram in real life. 23-year-old Dalbir Singh used to have the crowds applauding as he played the role of Ravana and said his dialogues in a thundering voice. He was a favourite with the crowds and had returned to the maidan that evening to receive a shield for his performance.
After having finished the last day of the Ram Leela performance as Dalbir was turning to go home, he heard the Jalandhar-Amritsar DMU speeding towards the crowd. Without a second thought for his own life, Dalbir Singh saved the life of at least eight people before he himself was crushed to death.
Dalbir Singh was married just a year ago and is survived by his widowed mother, his wife and an eight-month-old baby. The surviving family has refused to perform the last rites until the State Government gives them some compensation. Dalbir Singh was a kite maker who ran a little shop on the ground floor of his house and was the only breadwinner of his family. His mother Sawan Kaur is demanding justice and a compensation.
