Watch: Ambulance driver battles Cyclone Dana to help injured patient in Odisha, gets accolades | Bhubaneswar News – Times of India

BHUBANESWAR: In the midst of Cyclone Dana‘s fury, a heart-warming story of heroism and compassion emerged from the small village of Kathuaganda in Kendrapada district. Manas Kumar Mallick, a dedicated 108 Ambulance staff member from Rajnagar, risked his own safety to save the life of a critically ill patient.

When the distress call came in at around 7.30 am on Friday, Manas and his team immediately set out to reach the patient, despite the raging cyclone. However, their ambulance was forced to stop 2 km away from the village due to uprooted trees blocking the road. Undeterred, Manas decided to take matters into his own hands.
With the patient’s condition deteriorating rapidly, Manas and his colleague Nakula Charan Mallick knew that every second counted. They courageously walked through the muddy and slippery roads, battling heavy rain and gusty winds, to reach the patient’s location. Upon arriving, he found Itishree Rout in a critical state. She suffered a back injury after a fall. Without hesitation, Manas scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to the waiting ambulance, singlehandedly.
The journey to the Rajnagar Community Health Centre was not without its challenges, but Manas’s determination never wavered. His selfless act not only saved Itishree’s life but also touched the hearts of many across the state. The video of his heroic deed went viral on social media, earning him praise from Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and countless others.
Manas’s compassion extended beyond his life-saving efforts. While washing the vehicle after dropping the patient at the hospital, the ambulance crew, Manas and his colleague Nakula, found Rs 6,500 in the vehicle. Manas went to the kin of the patient and returned the money.
Despite having a cancer patient in his own family, Manas chose to put his duty first and joined the ambulance service during the cyclone. “I wanted to help people during this difficult time,” he said, exemplifying the true spirit of a hero.
Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling on Saturday personally reached out to Manas over the phone to commend him for his extraordinary service and humanitarian work. Manas’s actions serve as a shining example of the dedication and compassion that healthcare workers possess, even in the face of adversity, said the minister.