Srinagar boatman Tariq Ahmad Patloo, whose efforts of running a floating ambulance service in Dal Lake amid Covid-19 pandemic were praised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the 'Mann Ki Baat' programme on Sunday, has expressed his gratitude to the PM.
Patloo's struggle in getting timely transportation to the shore of Dal Lake during his covid illness prompted him to design his own Shikara as a water ambulance in order to ferry patients like him.
"There are many people in our country who have come forward and worked to help the doctors. I came to know about one such attempt from Srinagar. Here a Boat Ambulance Service was started at Dal Lake. This service was started by Tariq Ahmad Patloo ji of Srinagar, who is a Houseboat Owner," PM Modi said during the 78th Episode of 'Mann Ki Baat' yesterday.
"He himself has also fought the battle with Covid-19 and this inspired him to start the ambulance service. A campaign is also underway to make people aware of this ambulance, and continuous announcements from the ambulance are being made by him. The effort is that people should wear a mask and undertake other necessary precautions too," Modi added while praising Patloo's novel idea of a boat ambulance.
"वैसे हमारे देश में कई लोग ऐसे भी हैं जो डॉक्टर्स की मदद के लिए आगे बढ़कर काम करते हैं |
श्रीनगर से एक ऐसे ही प्रयास के बारे में मुझे पता चला |"
– पीएम श्री @narendramodi .#MannKiBaat pic.twitter.com/i2Q1TtrFZT
— Mann Ki Baat Updates मन की बात अपडेट्स (@mannkibaat) June 27, 2021
Patloo, who contracted Covid-19 during the first wave in August last year, expressed happiness and thanked PM Modi for his appreciation.
He said that the idea of a floating ambulance came after he faced a lot of difficulties to reach the hospital from Dal waters.
"I extend my gratitude to PM Modi ji for mentioning my efforts during his programme 'Mann Ki Baat'. The appreciation from him is a great honour and means a lot for me. I hope the mention of my work in the programme will benefit my community who face a lot of problems during the ongoing pandemic," he said.
After quarantining himself during the initial days of illness, Patloo's health had deteriorated and he was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
"I felt helpless in reaching the shore of Dal Lake and to further reach the hospital. It was a difficult time for me and my family," he recalls.
This incident etched in his mind for good as he decided to make a boat ambulance to ferry people who might need it during covid illness or any other medical emergency.
"While recovering at a bed in the hospital I kept thinking about how to make a floating ambulance for all the Dal dwellers who are in need of this kind of facility," he said.
After getting discharged from the hospital, Patloo’s sole objective was to design a floating ambulance for which he got some help from an NGO.
Patloo’s floating ambulance is equipped with an oxygen concentrator, oxygen cylinder, first aid, stretcher, wheelchair, BP set and PPE kits.
“I have a dream to do something big for my community who has suffered a lot in the past three decades. Now, my next step is to make a fire service boat for the people living in Dal Lake,” Patloo said.
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