Celebrating humanity

Sunday morning could not have given a better start to the new week as some of the best people from across Tamil Nadu got the honour that had been long due to them. ‘The ALERT being award 2019’ felicitated Good Samaritans from across the state for the yeoman service they have been rendering and preserving lives in uncountable ways.

As a mark of tribute to Dr APJ Abdul Kalam— who gave the organisation its goal to train one member from each family in emergency response— a video was played that gave the audience a rare opportunity to go back in time and witness the great scientist talking about the precious time gap between an accident/ emergency and first response.

A.K.Viswanathan, Commissioner of Police, Greater Chennai and M.K. Narayanan, former NSA and former Governor of West Bengal, graced the occasion.

Kala Balasundaram, founder trustee of Alert, said, “At Alert, we wish to bring out the incredible stories of Good Samaritans, who have made a significant difference in society by impacting and saving lives. With laws being made favourable to Good Samaritans who save others and organisations like Alert creating awareness and training general public on life-saving techniques, recognitions like Alert Being Awards that brings out people who have lead by example in saving lives in many different ways, is exactly what we need to bring out the hero within each one of us”.

Refering to the awardees including Aishwariya, who since a young age has worked for cancer-affected people and kids and the first awardee at the programme,   MK Narayanan said,

“ Aishwariya... that’s the kind of inspiration that we require to bring humanity to everyday life. I think there is an element of spiritualism. I can quite understand why Kalam is the role model for Alert. If I deserve an award, I think it is because in some ways I was instrumental in making people realise the greatness of Kalam. Kalam and I were colleagues at certain stage. I saw his ability to bring people together and there was an element of God in him.”

“Today when we see people like Aishwariya and others, they are the real heroes of India. They are the ones who deserve all the accolades we need to do. What they are doing, it may not capture headlines everyday, but I think that is what makes India of our dreams and not anything else.”

A. K. Viswanathan said, “They (ALERT) impart knowledge that can help somebody save a life and transform a life. We encounter traumatic situations on a daily basis. Close to 1,000 people die in accidents in Chennai city alone  and 95,000 die in road accidents every year throughout India. There is an efficient system of government and police that reach the spot. But there are situations where it takes time, especially in rural areas, where the first responders may be the bystanders. If they are made skilful to respond to an emergency, that is an experience in transforming a life. Creating a skilled force through their yeoman service, Alert is helping people to transform lives.”  

Receiving the ‘Lifetime achievement’ award, Dr. Nandakumar Jairam, who has done exemplary work in bettering healthcare and is the  chairman and group medical director of Columbia Asia hospitals ended his speech on a very emotional note - “I have a lot more to do and miles to go before I sleep.”