United in prayer

Asma shows her sister Reshma's photo to the reporters at Savar on Friday. Photo: TV grab

All eyes were on the television screens and many of their hands in the air, praying for safe rescue of a mighty heart.

Witnessing an unprecedented event where hundreds of rescuers fight to bring out a survivor from a hole of a collapsed building in Savar on Friday afternoon.

All hopes fainted when the rescuers started using heavy machinery, cranes and bulldozers, to clear off the crashed concretes and search for bodies from the tragic site at Savar.

Time seemed still for moments. The whole world followed the rescue operation of a woman who is still alive after 17 days into the collapse without food and water.

It took the rescuers 45 minutes to pull her out after they detected her. A faint waving of a hand, the body trapped inside the debris.

All the national and international media including BBC, CNN, Reuters, AP, and the New York Times covered the story of this lucky survivor.

Special prayers were held for her on the ground at Savar building collapse site. Words of prayer and anticipation pour out in posts and comments on the walls of social media.

"Miracles happen…" said a Bangladeshi female Facebook user.

Another user said it "a supernatural act" of nature.

Some even termed Reshma's rescue as "victory of humanity".

An activists' group page of FB glorified it saying "at the moment Reshma is Bangladesh, Bangladesh is Reshma."

Some prayed for her "life and safe rescue."

Tears came down after I have heard the news of Reshma's survival, many commented.

In many instant reactions several thousands thanked the rescuers who saved Reshma.

Words of sympathy and love were expressed from all corners of the world for the well being of Reshma.

With a caring effort by the rescuers, Reshma, a garment worker who was still unhurt and breathing even after 17 days, was pulled out from the rubble of Rana Plaza.

They prayed while the rescuers carry her out to the hospital through an army ambulance.

Reshma was first spotted in the basement of the now flattened nine-storey building by the rescuers.