New Delhi:
Parvesh Kumar, the driver of GD Goenka School bus which was attacked by protestors opposing Padmaavat is no less a hero than Sheikh Salim Gafur, the Gujarat bus driver who defied terrorists' bullets and saved 52 Amarnath pilgrims.
Parvesh was behind the wheel when a violent mob started pelting stones on the school-bus. Keeping his cool he asked students and teachers to take cover under the seats as he steered the vehicle to safety.
Neeta Bali, the principal of the school is full of praise for Parvesh.
“His quick thinking saved many lives. He also warned other drivers and school management against using the Sohna road route, following which three buses travelling behind turned back," said Bali.
The bus was carrying 24 students, five teachers, and an attendant when it was attacked by a group of around 60 activists.
“Parvesh has been working for 14 years with the school. He protected all students during the attack. When the stones were being pelted, he applied brakes for a second pretending to slow down, but immediately sped away," she said.
"It was a terrible experience as the students were scared and crying for help. They did not even understand what happened initially. But I asked them to keep calm and take cover under their seats while the window panes were being shattered. They did well though," said Parvesh.
(With PTI inputs)
