“I have been an ambulance driver for close to two decades, while my friend has been doing it for close to two and a half decades. We became friends while working at the same Kauvery ambulance services and together have travelled the length and breadth of the country. We have always been there when people need help the most. However, ambulance drivers and an ambulance are seen with so much spite all the time.
Our recent drive to Mizoram was an exception, where we were greeted well by people right from the moment we entered the state until we left. The respect in their eyes, their kind words and hospitality were beyond what words can express. Seeing the way people there greeted us takes me back to an incident here in Chennai.
I had to carry a dead body to a house from the hospital and had parked my vehicle in front of an independent house. The lady of the house was so full of spite, she threw water on my ambulance to show her despise for the ambulance and the people driving it. However, fate had it that two days later, I had gone to carry the same lady to the hospital after she fell in the bathroom.
When we were asked to carry the mortal remains of Vivian Lalremsanga to Mizoram, all that I saw was taking a son back to his family, and my friend Chinnathambi agreed soon after I asked him. Most drivers had refused to take this trip for fear of catching the virus. But in my opinion, compromising on humanity is the most significant virus that our society is succumbing to, we didn’t want to be part of the problem. Where the whole world saw the 86 hour long, 3000 kilometer drive and the corona threat, we saw a mother waiting to have a last look of her son’s body.
We helped the family procure all the documents and finish the formalities to carry the body back home. The only thing we insisted upon was to make sure a member of their family accompanied us. This was to avoid any hassles about body trafficking allegations and delay because of that.
The drive was indeed tough, given that we had to drive in a hilly terrain for over 500 kilometres right from the moment we stepped into Assam borders. However, the way we were received made all the tiredness vanish. It was so heartwarming to see a state CM come down to greet us and honor us with the shawl and speak kind words. We are now back in Chennai and we have felt so respected and honored. It feels good to be recognized for the hard work and effort we put into saving other people’s life. While some misuse the ambulance, you need to remember that those working for the well-being of people outnumber the crooks. We help you save the lives of your loved ones and in return, expect nothing but your respect.”
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