Bishnu Shrestha
The Invisible Man and Jacques sat in their usual spot in the cigar lounge, surrounded by the rich aroma of tobacco and leather. Jacques was pouring a barrage of verbal diarrhoea about the latest action movie he was excited to see. Jacques raved about the classic, rugged and chiselled features of the hero with an envy in his voice.
But the Invisible Man was lost in thought, enjoying his cigar, a Gurkha Cellar Reserve 15 year aged, and the serenity of the lounge. As he took a puff from the cigar, he savoured its unique flavor and complexity, a testament to the care and attention given to its creation. The oily criollo wrapper, combined with an aged Dominican olor binder and filler, created a medium to full-bodied cigar that was truly exceptional. The Gurkha Cellar Reserve was an ode to the legendary Gurkha soldier, the personification of invisible men doing invisible deeds.
As Jacques continued to prattle on, the Invisible Man suddenly spoke up, his voice low and mysterious. "You know, Jacques," he said rolling his Gurkha Cellar Reserve gently in his fingers, "there are some stories that are far more intriguing than any blockbuster. Stories that capture the essence of the human spirit and remind us of invisible men, and their invincible deeds."
Jacques looked at the Invisible Man in confusion, taking a puff from his cigar. "What are you talking about?" he asked.
“Sometimes artisans do a phenomenal job at packing hundreds of years of history in something as small as a cigar”, continued the Invisible Man, his eyes never leaving the cigar.
Jacques took a look at his own cigar in confusion, a Gurkha Cellar Reserve as well, failing to see the Invisible Man’s point.
The Invisible Man leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with an intense light. "I'm talking about an invisible man with invincible deeds, who faced incredible danger, was actually the hero and only by chance got recognized as a hero," he said.
Now even more confused, Jacques asked “But what in the world does it have to do with a Gurkha Cellar Reserve??”
The Invisible Man looked at him for a brief moment with a look that became intense. He finally said "The Gurka Cellar has everything to do with it. It is an ode to an obscure group of invisible men, and one of them, an Invisible Man, Invincible Deeds. A man named Bishnu Shrestha."
Bishnu Shrestha: A Warrior Retires
Bishnu Shrestha had spent much of his life as a soldier, serving in the 7th Battalion of the 8th Gurkha Infantry and fighting in some of the most dangerous and challenging conflict zones around the world. After years of service and numerous battles, Shrestha retired from his position as a Naik (Corporal) in 2010, looking forward to a peaceful life in his homeland of Nepal.
As he rode on the Maurya Express on the evening of September 2, 2010, Shrestha was finally on his way home, enjoying the quiet and stillness of the night sky above. He had seen enough combat and violence to last a lifetime and was looking forward to settling down, starting a family, and living a peaceful life in the mountains of Nepal.
Little did he know that his peace would be shattered that very night, as he found himself in the midst of a harrowing ordeal that would test his skills, bravery, and determination to the fullest. But despite the danger and chaos around him, Bishnu Shrestha remained true to his training and his values, remaining calm and collected in the face of adversity and ultimately emerging as a hero to those he had sworn to protect.
Bishnu Shrestha's story is a testament to the courage and dedication of those who serve in the armed forces, as well as the resilience and strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable danger and hardship. Despite retiring from the military, Bishnu Shrestha's warrior spirit remained strong, as he proved on that fateful night on the Maurya Express.
Terror on the Maurya Express
The Maurya Express was a passenger train that ran from Kolkata to Mumbai, passing through the dense jungles of West Bengal. On the evening of September 2, 2010, the train was packed with travelers of all kinds, including families, tourists, and businesspeople.
As the train roared through the night, the passengers settled in for the long journey, looking forward to reaching their destinations safely and on time. However, their hopes would be shattered in a matter of minutes, as a group of ruthless robbers suddenly stormed into the train, brandishing all manner of deadly weapons and threatening the lives of everyone on board.
The bandits, numbering around 40, were well-organized and heavily armed. They began by blocking the doors of the train cars, trapping the passengers inside. Then, without warning, they began to systematically rob and terrorize the passengers, using knives, guns, and even swords to intimidate and control them.
The passengers were helpless against the robbers' onslaught, forced to hand over their valuables and endure their vicious abuse. The robbers moved from car to car, methodically stealing everything they could and using violence to maintain their control.
Amidst the chaos, Bishnu Shrestha who had been sleeping was violently awakened by the bandits who demanded he hand over his valuables. Having seen his fair share of combat and violence, he knew better than to intervene and risk making the situation worse. He handed over all that he had on him.
But then the robbers turned their attention to a young woman and her parents, who were sitting near Shrestha. The bandits then began to harass the woman, dragging her, trying to tear her clothes and gang rape her in front of her family, while threatening to kill any who intervened.
Bishnu Shrestha, The Gurkha Awakens
This was too much for Bishnu Shrestha to bear. Drawing his kukri knife, he launched himself into action, taking the bandits by surprise and attacking them with deadly force. The bandits were caught off guard by Shrestha's sudden and fierce attack, and they struggled to defend themselves against his relentless assault.
Bishnu Shrestha fought with all his might, using his skills and experience as a soldier to take on the entire gang of bandits. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, he refused to back down, determined to protect the innocent passengers and defeat the robbers at any cost.
The fight raged on for what seemed like hours, as Bishnu Shrestha and the bandits battled it out in the cramped train cars. The other passengers cowered in fear, watching as the two sides clashed in a fierce and bloody struggle.
The robbers tried to overpower Bishnu Shrestha with their sheer numbers, but he proved to be too skilled and too determined for them to handle. Using his kukri knife and his bare hands, he dispatched several of the robbers and wounded many others, forcing them to retreat and abandon their loot.
The Aftermath
When the train finally pulled into the next station, the police and emergency personnel were waiting, ready to take control of the situation. Bishnu Shrestha was rushed to the hospital, where he spent months recovering from the injury to his hand.
In the end, 40 gold necklaces, 200 cell phones, 40 laptops, and a large amount of cash were recovered from the dead bandits. The bandits who were arrested alive were hauled off to jail, where they faced justice for their crimes.
For his incredible bravery and selflessness, Bishnu Shrestha was awarded multiple medals and honors, including a bounty from the Indian government for the capture of the vicious gang. But for Bishnu Shrestha, the real reward was knowing that he had done the right thing, protecting innocent people from harm and defending his fellow passengers against ruthless criminals.
The family of the girl wanted to award him for saving her life and dignity, which he declined.
“Fighting the enemy in battle is my duty as a soldier. Taking on the thugs on the train was my duty as a human being.”
Bravery and Humility
The story of Bishnu Shrestha and the terror on the Maury Express is a powerful reminder of the strength and courage of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable danger and hardship. It is also a testament to the importance of training and preparation, as Bishnu Shrestha's years of service in the military gave him the skills and mindset he needed to take on the robbers and emerge victorious.
But perhaps most importantly, the story of Bishnu Shrestha and the terror on the Maurya Express is a reminder of the power of heroism and selflessness in the face of adversity. Despite having retired from the military and leaving behind a life of combat and violence, Bishnu Shrestha never lost his sense of duty to protect others.
When he saw innocent passengers in danger, he didn't hesitate to risk his own life to save theirs. His bravery and determination in the face of overwhelming odds are an inspiration to us all, showing us that even the most ordinary of people, invisible men do invisible deeds, and become heroes in times of crisis.
In the end, it is people like Bishnu Shrestha who remind us of the true meaning of heroism – not just the ability to fight and win battles, but the willingness to put oneself in harm's way to protect others, even when it seems impossible. His story is one that will be remembered for generations to come, a testament to the courage, strength, and compassion that lies within all of us.
The Irony
While the world celebrated this invisible man and his invincible deed, little did they know that had it not been for the girl he saved, the authorities would have taken him as one of the bandits. It’s the sad and dark tragedy for the Invisible Men of the world, many who have been the unsung heroes and who might not have been as lucky as our once Invisible Man, with Invisible Deeds, Bishnu Shrestha.
In one of Bishnu Shrestha’s interview, he said.
“The Indian media brought the incident to light and the Nepalese media too gave it due importance. I may have even been sent to jail on the charge of robbery had the girl and the Indian media not come forward to my support.”
Epilogue
As the Invisible Man finished his tale, a hushed silence fell over the cigar lounge. The patrons sat in awe, their eyes fixed on him, as if waiting for some kind of revelation. Jacques, in particular, was transfixed, his expression a mixture of wonder and fear.
The Invisible Man leaned back in his chair, his eyes gazing off into the distance, lost in thought. In his hand, he still held the Gurkha Cellar Reserve, now burned down to its nub. Its smoke drifted lazily through the air, filling the room with a deep and intoxicating aroma.
Jacques, who had been smoking the same Gurkha Reserve, sat beside him, lost in his own thoughts. There was a century of history packed in this small Gurkha Reserve, whose aroma and rich flavor has now even been more accentuated.
But the Invisible Man remained silent, lost in his own world.
The ambiance in the cigar lounge was thick with the scent of tobacco, wood and leather, the sound of quiet whispers filling the air. The Gurkha Cellar Reserve, with its unique blend of aged tobaccos, seemed to embody the very essence of a once invisible man Bishnu Shrestha.
As the night wore on, the Invisible Man remained lost in thought, his cigar burned down to nothingness. Jacques, too, sat in silence, lost in contemplation.
And so, in the cigar lounge, a story of Bishnu Shrestha had been told, a cigar had been smoked, and the Invisible Men doing Invincible Deeds had been celebrated, leaving the room with the lingering scent of the Gurkha Cellar Reserve.
Attributions and inspirations:
Inspired by the story telling and the coverage of this epic Invisible Man, Bishnu Shrestha, by Ben Thompson on his website badassoftheweek.com.
