When you see an ambulance or listen to its siren on the road, what do you do?
Try to make way for it, right?
When I find myself in such a situation on the road, I pray for the patient(s) and the family-member(s). I sincerely hope that may the patient(s) recover fast and be saved.
From the last couple of months, seeing the heavy traffic-jams and rush on the roads in Bhubaneswar, especially during peak-hours, I have been praying for the ambulance to reach the hospital before it's too late.
The doctors can save the patient only when she/he reaches the hospital quickly and they have time to do what is necessary.
In such events, time plays the deciding factor between life and death.
I believe in the power of prayers and also that "when God wants to save, no one can harm" and that those who are destined to live, will survive no matter what the odds.
Yet, I find myself praying fervently seeing an ambulance stuck in the traffic-jam.
Having encountered this on some occasions, I have felt guilty and helpless as precious seconds tick by.
The traffic-lights seem to take longer time to change. I have seen the frantic efforts of traffic-police trying to ensure priority passage for the ambulance.
In such cases, I wish we had an exclusive lane that would be free to let ambulance pass by.
I have my eyes on the extreme left lane and wish it were free.
However, that seems a distant possibility as it is occupied most of the times and does not even allow vehicles to take the left turn when the traffic light signal clearly permits the same.
I shared these views when City Mirror's journalist, Shri Dilip Sabat, who was doing a story on "Traffic Jam", contacted me last Monday, on 10th February, 2020.
"During office and school and college hours, there are traffic jams and long queues. Roads are smaller, while the number of vehicles are more." He asked my views regarding this.
I shared regarding ambulance.
I truly fear for the lives when I find an ambulance stuck in the jam.
The next day, I was sad to learn about a five-year-old boy, who had died in the ambulance. As per the bereaved father of the boy, his son died owing to the heavy traffic on the road.
Though the boy's father alleged that the said ambulance took one and half hours, later, after verification from CCTV footage, the commuting time for the ambulance was found to be 20 minutes for 12 kms distance.
We need to set examples and do the right things for the public to emulate.
#MakeWayForAmbulance initiative of Commissionerate Police in the premises of Esplanade One Mall at Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar, was a step in this direction.
The programme was conducted on February 14, 2020 i.e. on Valentine's Day. It was a celebration of #LoveForLife.
We, the people, are responsible for our safety and for our country.
Hundreds of devotees had made way for an ambulance.
This was extensively covered by media.
Ambulance was allowed to pass as the sea of devotees gave way. Rising above barriers of caste, language, religion etc., it marked unity, respect, and discipline. It reflected the values and significance of the centuries-old Rath Yatra celebration when each year the Lord of the Universe, Lord Jagannath, comes out with His siblings, and allows His devotees to be a part of His journey.
Ambulance is also a yatra - a journey. It can prove to be one that gives life or takes it away. Let us recognize this reality and support in our own way.
Media can play a big role.
The above-mentioned article about Traffic Jam titled "Jibana Jaam" was published in Odia daily, City Mirror edition dated- 17 February 2020.
“Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinaha, (May all be Happy)
Sarve Santu Niramaya, (May all be Free from Disease)
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, (May all have Well-Being)
Ma Kaschit Dukhkha Bhaga Bhavet” (May there never be Sadness)
Thank you, Shri Dilip Sabat, for covering this important topic and for sharing my views.
What do you think when you see an ambulance on the road?
What do you feel about traffic jam in your city? Have you ever seen an ambulance in a jam?
Do share your views below.
Try to make way for it, right?
When I find myself in such a situation on the road, I pray for the patient(s) and the family-member(s). I sincerely hope that may the patient(s) recover fast and be saved.
From the last couple of months, seeing the heavy traffic-jams and rush on the roads in Bhubaneswar, especially during peak-hours, I have been praying for the ambulance to reach the hospital before it's too late.
The doctors can save the patient only when she/he reaches the hospital quickly and they have time to do what is necessary.
In such events, time plays the deciding factor between life and death.
I believe in the power of prayers and also that "when God wants to save, no one can harm" and that those who are destined to live, will survive no matter what the odds.
Yet, I find myself praying fervently seeing an ambulance stuck in the traffic-jam.
Having encountered this on some occasions, I have felt guilty and helpless as precious seconds tick by.
The traffic-lights seem to take longer time to change. I have seen the frantic efforts of traffic-police trying to ensure priority passage for the ambulance.
In such cases, I wish we had an exclusive lane that would be free to let ambulance pass by.
I have my eyes on the extreme left lane and wish it were free.
However, that seems a distant possibility as it is occupied most of the times and does not even allow vehicles to take the left turn when the traffic light signal clearly permits the same.
I shared these views when City Mirror's journalist, Shri Dilip Sabat, who was doing a story on "Traffic Jam", contacted me last Monday, on 10th February, 2020.
"During office and school and college hours, there are traffic jams and long queues. Roads are smaller, while the number of vehicles are more." He asked my views regarding this.
I shared regarding ambulance.
I truly fear for the lives when I find an ambulance stuck in the jam.
The next day, I was sad to learn about a five-year-old boy, who had died in the ambulance. As per the bereaved father of the boy, his son died owing to the heavy traffic on the road.
Though the boy's father alleged that the said ambulance took one and half hours, later, after verification from CCTV footage, the commuting time for the ambulance was found to be 20 minutes for 12 kms distance.
We need to set examples and do the right things for the public to emulate.
It is time to raise awareness and inform the road users regarding road safety and to make way for ambulance.Stopping his carcade to provide smooth passage for an ambulance, CM @Naveen_Odisha set an example in conduct for both public and public servants, when it came to road safety & clearing the path for emergency service vehicles. #PeopleFirst #MakeWayForAmbulance pic.twitter.com/7Hu3lHB1dk— CMO Odisha (@CMO_Odisha) February 15, 2020
#MakeWayForAmbulance initiative of Commissionerate Police in the premises of Esplanade One Mall at Rasulgarh, Bhubaneswar, was a step in this direction.
The programme was conducted on February 14, 2020 i.e. on Valentine's Day. It was a celebration of #LoveForLife.
'Follow Rules' features in my post 10 Things WE Can Do For India that lists what an ordinary citizen can do for a better India. If we sincerely follow rules, our country will be a better place to live in. It includes following traffic rules and giving way to ambulance.#TeamTraffic led by DCP Traffic @Sagarika_nath started a programme to create awareness among road users to make way for Ambulance.— COMMISSIONERATE POLICE (@cpbbsrctc) February 14, 2020
The programme was inaugurated by CP @SarangiSudhansu#MakeWayForAmbulance@odisha_police @dcpbbsr @DCP_CUTTACK pic.twitter.com/gsG68jyk66
We, the people, are responsible for our safety and for our country.
During the 2019 Rath Yatra in Puri, Odisha, India, an ambulance had made news.Let's #SaveLives. Let's #MakeWayForAmbulance. It is our responsibility. Together we can. Move aside, stop or slow down, let ambulance overtake you, be a #RoadHero. Help us spread the word @cpbbsrctc @SarangiSudhansu @arunbothra @odisha_police @CPMumbaiPolice @CPHydCity pic.twitter.com/pv8dMsWXzK— Sagarika IPS (@sagarika_nath) February 14, 2020
Hundreds of devotees had made way for an ambulance.
This was extensively covered by media.
Ambulance was allowed to pass as the sea of devotees gave way. Rising above barriers of caste, language, religion etc., it marked unity, respect, and discipline. It reflected the values and significance of the centuries-old Rath Yatra celebration when each year the Lord of the Universe, Lord Jagannath, comes out with His siblings, and allows His devotees to be a part of His journey.
Ambulance is also a yatra - a journey. It can prove to be one that gives life or takes it away. Let us recognize this reality and support in our own way.
Media can play a big role.
The above-mentioned article about Traffic Jam titled "Jibana Jaam" was published in Odia daily, City Mirror edition dated- 17 February 2020.
I sincerely pray that may there be no traffic accidents and ambulance incidents and may no family-members lose their loved ones due to road accidents or traffic issues–
Sarve Santu Niramaya, (May all be Free from Disease)
Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu, (May all have Well-Being)
Ma Kaschit Dukhkha Bhaga Bhavet” (May there never be Sadness)
Thank you, Shri Dilip Sabat, for covering this important topic and for sharing my views.
What do you think when you see an ambulance on the road?
What do you feel about traffic jam in your city? Have you ever seen an ambulance in a jam?
Do share your views below.
Good to go through your views and efforts, i did not know about the incident that devotees making the way clear...
ReplyDeleteYes, i do the same when see such vehicle, i pray for their quick recovery.
It's nice to see this issue being discussed and people giving ambulances room to move and get going.
ReplyDeleteI panic when I hear the siren and hope I'll have space to squeeze into, to let the emergency vehicle go. :)
Acting responsively and making way for an ambulance to pass through the traffic is surely one of the foremost steps towards becoming a responsible society.
ReplyDeletePrecious time could be saved and in most cases could be a matter of life and death.
Glad to see this discussion here and happy to see such a large number of devotees making way. I have seen people reluctant to move at one or two instances! It's such a grave issue and we think that this is common sense to make way as soon you hear the siren. Time is of utmost value on such instances.
ReplyDelete