Taptapani Bus Accident: P Kamraju, Man Who Saved Many Lives Is True Champion

We don’t need platitudes, sermons or superheroes to ‘centre’ us. This centring is that of humanity and our faith in ourselves and our society. P. Kamraju of Digapahandi Hospital spearheaded the rescue operations in the bus accident near Taptapani on Wednesday and saved the lives of many people. 

Long route accidents unfortunately and usually happen at unearthly hours and on remote stretches of the highways. P. Kamraju was on leave from work for his son’s wedding. When he heard about the mishap, he rushed to the spot and started rescue operations without any regret of leaving behind the important ceremony at home. Ceremonies don’t matter when lives are in danger.

The “Sir” address should not be wasted on indifferent public or private employees, notwithstanding their seniority or the hierarchy. I won’t dither a bit in calling him Kamraju Sir. He is a knight on earth

Lower (don’t like this classification) bureaucracy is often perceived as stodgy, prosaic and an officious bunch. In fact, one would not find much written about lower bureaucracy, its work and its achievements. The higher rungs run on the shoulders of the lower rungs but that’s the bane of hierarchy. Only top down counts. That is why probably a separate jargon, “bottoms up” has been created. Traditional news media, often portray civil servants as soulless who care more about the bottom line than citizens. That is far from the truth. What is true is that the lower bureaucracy has no advocates and the few advocates who emerge finally turn ‘vassallus’. Pharmacists in smaller places are saviours of patients because they are the first point of contact for the villagers. They are from the community and are the ‘barefoot doctors’. The work of a pharmacist has a direct impact on the health indicators of the district and the state. The staff of a referral unit or a PHC or CHC directly contribute to the state of health and the SDGs. 

Kamraju Sir demonstrated that “everyone here is smart but distinguish yourself by being kind”. That was the call of his soul. I know of very senior officials avoiding accident victims on the road and escaping because “who would get into all this trouble of taking them and looking after them?” But there are souls who live for others. They are always mindful of the “servant” in a public servant. What a glory to have Kamraju Sir amongst us! 

I strongly recommend Kamraju Sir to be invited to address and motivate youths in institutions and organisations. I firmly suggest that he should be recognised and awarded for his prompt and selfless service. 

He is a true public champion and not the theory, wisdom and theology spewing “pedants”. We have too many of them. We want more Kamraju Sirs.