For nearly 20 years, Pradhan has operated an auto ambulance service besides his daily work, ferrying accident victims, the injured, elderly and the helpless to nearby hospitals free of cost.His mission has earned him quiet respect among commuters, police personnel, hospital staff, and accident survivors alike. In a city where the golden hour often determines life or death, Pradhan chooses to respond faster than sirens.“I never plan my day like other drivers. If I hear about an accident or someone needing urgent help, I rush there immediately. That gives me more satisfaction than earning money,” he said.Pradhan stations his auto at Rasulgarh, a busy traffic junction that connects multiple arteries of Bhubaneswar. From there, he moves across different parts of the city, staying alert to news of accidents shared by passers-by.Over the years, his auto ambulance has carried accident victims, labourers who collapsed at worksites, and even elderly people and persons with disabilities. Many of them, Pradhan said, survived because they reached hospitals in time.But his role doesn’t end at transportation. “Most accident victims are alone. They don’t know where to go or whom to speak to. I help them with admission formalities, talk to doctors and nurses, and stay until their relatives arrive,” he said.Pradhan’s commitment seems more remarkable when one looks at his personal circumstances. He is the sole breadwinner of a family that includes his elderly mother, a widowed sister-in-law, his wife, and four children.Amid the economic strain, Pradhan never charges any money for the emergency transport. “There are days when I earn very little, but when someone survives because I helped them reach the hospital in time, all worries disappear,” he said.Despite saving hundreds of lives, Pradhan has neither sought awards nor recognition. His work spreads through word of mouth and gratitude.
